Sundowns defeat Wydad to win first African Football League
Mamelodi Sundowns have been crowned African Football League (AFL) champions following a 2-0 win over Wydad Casablanca at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday afternoon.
It was their first success against Wydad in a knockout tie having lost twice to them in the semi-finals and once in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League from 2017.
Coach Rhulani Mokwena Mokwena erased bitter memories of earlier in the year when Wydad arrived at Loftus to narrowly eliminate Sundowns from the 2022-23 Champions League on away goals in the semifinal stage, via Mothobi Mvala’s last-gasp own goal.
“I am so lucky to be in charge of this magnificent group of players”My thanks to the yellow nation (Sundowns supporters) for their wonderful support from the first minute to the last.
“It is difficult to talk now. This is a very emotional time for me. There has been so much heartbreak after some previous matches against Wydad. Now there is joy,” said Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena.
Success was worth four million dollars to Sundowns.
Recalled after missing Sundowns’ previous five matches in the competition, Namibia captain Shalulile broke the deadlock three minutes into first-half added time.
Wydad goalkeeper Youssef el Motie parried a Teboho Mokoena shot from the edge of the box and Shalulile reacted quickest to slam the ball into the roof of the net.
Sundowns increased their lead when Modiba, who had fans on his case in the first half, cleverly put the ball beyond the reach of El Motie after he was allowed to control the ball in the box
The goal finally gave the capacity 50,000 crowd, which included the presidents of FIFA and CAF, Gianni Infantino and Patrice Motsepe, something to cheer.
