CAF CL: AS FAR takes an option, Mamelodi Sundowns sinks Radès
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All original articlesThe final four of the CAF Champions League delivered its first verdicts this weekend. If the AS FAR dictated its law in the 100% Moroccan duel in Rabat, the South Africans of Mamelodi Sundowns carried out the perfect hold-up on Tunisian soil against the Espérance de Tunis.
AS FAR against Berkane
In a sports complex Moulay Abdellah in turmoil, AS FAR has affirmed its ambitions by winning 2-0 against the RS Berkane this Saturday. Despite a balanced match start where the Oranges de Berkane tried to close the spaces, military pressure ended up breaking the lock.
The first turn comes at the 58th minute: on a center shot, Ahmed Hammoudan appears to open the scoring and free the audience rbati. Berkane tried to react, but ran into an Imperial FAR defense. At the end of the match, taking advantage of a lightning-fast block, Khalid Ait Ouarkhane doubled the lead in the 80th minute, sealing a precious victory. With two goals in advance, the men of Rabat will move to Berkane next Saturday with a comfortable mattress, even if nothing is yet decided against Berkanis known for their resilience at home.
Radès: the cold snap by Sundowns
The long-awaited clash between Espérance de Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns turned to the advantage of the visitors (0-1). In a stadium full to bursting, the Blood and Gold hoped to take the advantage, but they came across a South African bloc of exemplary tactical discipline.
The key moment of the meeting took place just after the return from the locker room. In the 52nd minute, Bryan Leon took advantage of a hesitation in the Tunisian defense to score the only goal of the match. Esperance thought it equalised a few minutes later, but the goal was cancelled by the VAR for a position of precision offside.
The end of the match was marked by extreme tension: Mamelodi Sundowns finished the game with ten players after Grant Kekana (84th) was sent off for a second yellow card. Despite this numerical superiority and a desperate push in stoppage time, the Tunisians have never been able to deceive Ronwen Williams' vigilance.
Towards an electric return matches
Next weekend is therefore decisive. If AS FAR seems to have done the hardest, the RS Berkane has not said its last word. As for the Espérance de Tunis, it will have to achieve a monumental feat in Pretoria to overthrow the Brazilians of Sundowns who have never seemed so close to a new continental final.
Return games schedule (GMT)
Saturday, April 18
13h: Mamelodi Sundowns - Espérance Tunis
7pm: RS Berkane - AS FAR