Modiba’s magic seals slim first-leg final advantage for Sundowns over AS FAR

Mamelodi Sundowns took a slender but vital step toward reclaiming continental glory, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Moroccan heavyweights AS FAR Rabat in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at a rocking Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday night.

🏆 ℂ𝔸𝔽 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕦𝕖 🏆

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: What a strike by Aubrey Modiba! 🚀

𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 1⃣➖0⃣ 𝐀𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐑

🚨 LIVE
🥇 Final: 1st Leg
📺 SABC 1
🌐 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/AX4nf9Q0Nb

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 17, 2026

A spectacular 37th-minute free-kick from Aubrey Modiba proved to be the difference on an evening where tactical discipline and defensive grit took center stage. The result gives Miguel Cardoso’s side a crucial, albeit delicate, advantage to defend when they travel north to the intimidating Stade Moulay Abdallah in Rabat for the decisive second leg next weekend.

Aiming for their elusive “second star”—a decade after their historic 2016 triumph—the Brazilians were handed a massive pre-match boost. Defender Keanu Cupido miraculously shook off what was feared to be a broken arm to start alongside Khulumani Ndamane in a bold, attack-minded lineup that completely lacked a traditional defensive midfielder.

Instead, Cardoso partnered Teboho Mokoena with Nuno Santos and Jayden Adams to pull the strings. Sundowns immediately dictated the tempo and controlled the lion’s share of possession, though AS FAR’s well-drilled block consistently frustrated the home side.

The Moroccans were content to sit deep and absorb pressure while posing a physical threat on the counter and from set-pieces. AS FAR veteran defender Yunis Abdelhamid nearly silenced the Pretoria crowd midway through the first half, sending a powerful header just over the crossbar from a corner.

However, the defining moment of the contest arrived eight minutes before the interval. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena threaded a brilliant ball into the path of Tashreeq Matthews, who drew a heavy foul from Abdelhamid right on the edge of the box.

Modiba stepped up to the dead-ball situation, unleashing a sublime left-footed curling strike from 30 yards out. The ball flew over the wall and dipped viciously into the bottom corner, leaving AS FAR goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti completely stranded and sending the Loftus faithful into raptures.

Advantage Masandawana, but wastefulness leaves Sundowns with work to do in Rabat

The second half turned into a tactical chess match as the physical demands of the high-stakes final began to take their toll. Sundowns’ goal-scorer Modiba was forced off due to an injury in the 76th minute, replaced by Divine Lunga, while Kutlwano Letlhaku made way for Monnapule Saleng as Cardoso sought fresh legs.

The hosts had two golden opportunities to double their advantage and put clear daylight between themselves and the visitors. In the 64th minute, Letlhaku found space in the center of the box, but his low, goal-bound effort was spectacularly pushed away by Tagnaouti.

Just five minutes from time, midfield general Mokoena stood over another direct free-kick. He struck it with immense power from distance, beating Tagnaouti, only to watch in agony as the ball rattled violently off the right post and bounced clear.

AS FAR threw bodies forward during five minutes of tense, added-time drama, with Mohcine Bouriga committing a frustrated foul on Ndamane in the dying seconds as Sundowns successfully ran down the clock.

While Chloorkop will celebrate the clean sheet and the home victory, Cardoso knows the job is only half done. A 1-0 lead is a precarious cushion in North Africa, and Sundowns will need to summon every ounce of their tactical maturity in Rabat if they are to finally stitch that second star onto their crest.