African Football League: Mamelodi Sundowns come from behind to beat Wydad and make history
Mamelodi Sundowns won the first final in the history of the African Football League after beating Wydad.
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The South Africans have written the opening line in the history of the African Football League. Mamelodi Sundowns become the first team to win the competition, which has just completed its inaugural edition. In front of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and a sold-out stadium, the Sundowns players put together some attractive attacking football to take the lead, with 65% possession at the half-hour mark. But they lacked clear-cut chances to score that important goal. Who better to step up as the hero than Shalulile? The Namibian striker showed his clinical finishing in the box by opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time (45+3).
Wydad without answers
The plan of Wydad coach Adil Ramzi did not work, with no shot at all in the first half. His defensive approach did not pay off. Forced to score, the Moroccans changed tack. More adventurous in this second-leg final of the African Football League, the Wydadis took more risks, much to the Sundowns' delight. The Brazilians won the ball and quickly broke on the counter. Modiba found himself in front of goalkeeper Youssef El Motie and scored the second goal with great composure. Wydad were powerless, unable to find a goal that would have taken them to extra time. Mamelodi Sundowns controlled the final.
Despite a first-leg defeat (2-1), Mamelodi Sundowns bounced back to claim the first African Football League title. The triumph boosts the South Africans' confidence for the rest of the season. They are still in the running in the Champions League.