Mamelodi Sundowns Edge Moroccan Royal Army in Tense African Champions League Final First Leg

Hosts Mamelodi Sundowns narrowly defeated Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces 1-0 in the first leg of the African Champions League final. Aubrey Modiba clinched the victory with a free-kick goal. Technical delays marred the match, echoing past VAR issues in high-profile African games.

Hosts Mamelodi Sundowns edged out Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces with a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the first leg of the African Champions League final.

Left back Aubrey Modiba was the hero for the South African team, scoring the only goal of the match with a precise free kick executed from outside the penalty box just eight minutes before halftime. The slender win gives Sundowns a critical advantage as they prepare for next Sunday's return leg in Rabat.

Despite their win, Mamelodi Sundowns could have secured a more comfortable lead. Colombian striker Brayan Leon faltered, missing three clear chances early in the second half. The start of this half saw an unexpected delay due to a malfunctioning VAR system, forcing both teams to proceed without video assistance. This incident reminded many of the controversial VAR decisions during the African Cup of Nations final earlier this year. Adding to the tension, Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena came close to scoring, hitting the upright with a free kick five minutes from full time. Sundowns aim to reclaim the title they last won in 2016, while their Moroccan counterparts reminisce about their victory 41 years ago.