MAMELODI Sundowns made history by becoming the first South African team to win the Caf Champions League trophy twice.
Sundowns beat AS FAR of Morocco 2-1 in the final when the results of both legs are combined. In the first leg, Amasandawana won 1-0 in Pretoria. On Sunday night, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Morocco, they tied 1-1. The home team’s goal was a penalty scored by the captain, Mohamed Rabie Hrimat in the first half. Before the break, Teboho Mokoena equalized for Sundowns.
By winning the Champions League, Sundowns have become the first team in South Africa to win this major competition in Africa twice. It was held for the first time in 2016 while being coached by Pitso Mosimane. The first South African team to win the Champions League was Orlando Pirates who returned in 1995. Last season, Sundowns lost in the finals to the Egyptian Pyramids.
“We deserve this trophy, we have been trying to knock for six years. Finally the door is open. I thank the Motsepe family, the coaching staff and the fans for supporting us. We know that we are the pillar of South African football,” said Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
On the field, AS FAR started with a high gear showing that they wanted to get an equalizing goal quickly but Sundowns didn’t want anything back. It ended up being good in the 40th minute when he received a penalty following a foul in the box by his player Devine Lunga. However, Sundowns responded when the referee added time with a goal scored by Mokoena.
In the second half. AS FAR continued to attack with the aim of getting the two goals they needed to win. Although that is the case, Williams is not worried about Sundowns. AS FAR conceded another penalty in the 74th minute when Williams brought down a player in the box. Hrimat came back but Williams stopped him.