Mamelodi Sundowns take 1-0 lead over AS FAR in CAF Champions League final first leg
Mamelodi Sundowns edged AS FAR 1-0 in Pretoria with Aubrey Modiba’s free-kick giving Sundowns a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg in Rabat.
Mamelodi Sundowns opened the CAF Champions League final first leg with a narrow 1-0 victory over Moroccan side AS FAR in Pretoria, the South African side claiming a vital away-goals advantage before next weekend’s return in Rabat. Aubrey Modiba’s expertly struck free-kick in the 37th minute proved decisive in a fast-paced encounter that featured a lengthy VAR outage and standout goalkeeping to keep the contest finely poised. Both clubs are hunting a second continental crown, and the outcome leaves the tie delicately balanced heading to Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Sundowns secure slender first-leg lead
Sundowns took control of the scoreline through Aubrey Modiba’s set-piece finish midway through the first half. The goal arrived after sustained pressure and a sequence of openings created by Khuliso Mudau’s dangerous delivery into the box.
The hosts had earlier threatened when Mudau’s cross narrowly evaded Colombian forward Brian Leon, while AS FAR pushed forward with rapid counters led by Youssef Fahli and Rabii Harimat. Sundowns leave Pretoria with a winning margin but know the tie remains open ahead of the decisive second leg.
Modiba’s decisive free-kick
Modiba collected the match’s defining moment with a precisely executed free-kick that beat the wall and nestled in the net in the 37th minute. The strike capped a period where Sundowns had gained territorial control and tested the Moroccan defence repeatedly.
Set plays featured prominently in an otherwise open contest, and Sundowns’ ability to convert a dead-ball opportunity underlined their quality in tight moments. The goal gave the visitors confidence while forcing AS FAR to chase a crucial equaliser in the second leg.
VAR malfunction delays second half
The second half was delayed by roughly 25 minutes because of a technical malfunction affecting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. Match officials halted play to resolve the issue before resuming the contest under fresh procedural measures.
The interruption disrupted the flow for both sides and introduced an extended period of tight, defensive football once play restarted. Coaches and players on both benches were observed adjusting tactics and managing fitness as the fixture resumed under the revised conditions.
AS FAR goalkeeper keeps hosts competitive
AS FAR’s goalkeeper produced several important saves to keep the home side in the contest as Sundowns increased their second-half pressure. The keeper’s reflex stops, particularly during one-on-one moments, prevented the scoreline from widening and preserved hope for a comeback in Rabat.
AS FAR’s attacking trio — led by Hakim’s forward thrusts and Ahmed Hammoudan’s clever link-up play — created moments of danger, but they were repeatedly frustrated by disciplined Sundowns defending and the keeper’s interventions. The narrow defeat still leaves AS FAR within reach ahead of the return fixture.
Sundowns threaten but hit woodwork
Sundowns continued to threaten with long-range efforts and set-pieces as the match progressed, coming closest to a second goal when Kenneth Saleng’s free-kick struck the left post. The rebound preserved AS FAR’s slender deficit and kept the tie alive for the Moroccans at home.
Substitutions later in the game aimed to inject fresh attacking impetus for both sides, but the closing stages produced few clear-cut chances. Sundowns’ tactical discipline and AS FAR’s resilience combined to produce a low-scoring, tightly contested final first leg.
Second leg set for Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat
The teams will meet again next Sunday at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where AS FAR will seek to overturn the one-goal deficit in front of a partisan home crowd. The Moroccan side, coached by Portuguese manager Alexandre Santos, will need a positive result to lift the trophy for a second time in their history.
Both clubs aim for a second continental title: AS FAR brought the first Moroccan triumph in 1985, while Sundowns were last crowned in 2016 and remain the most recent champions from outside North Africa. The return match promises high stakes and tactical chess as each side pursues continental glory.
The tie now heads to Morocco with Mamelodi Sundowns carrying a narrow advantage but with everything still to play for in the second leg.
