Aubrey Modiba delivered a sensational free-kick to secure a 1-0 victory for Mamelodi Sundowns over Moroccan rivals FAR Rabat this Sunday.
The full-back unleashed a powerful, angled strike in the 37th minute, granting the South African hosts a slim first-leg advantage.
A vibrant crowd of 50,000 spectators packed Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld stadium to witness the tense CAF Champions League final opener.
Sundowns dominated the pitch but squandered multiple opportunities to widen their lead during a dominant second-half surge.
Colombian forward Brayan Leon uncharacteristically missed two clear chances, while teammate Kutlwano Letlhaku was denied by the opposing goalkeeper.
FAR Rabat narrowly escaped further damage late in the match when a Teboho Mokoena free-kick ricocheted dramatically off the goalpost.
Technical difficulties disrupted the event, delaying the second-half kickoff by 25 minutes due to a temporary VAR system malfunction.
Sundowns’ Portuguese coach, Miguel Cardoso, praised the high-quality match but warned his players to prepare for a hostile return leg.
Cardoso remains highly motivated for ultimate victory after suffering painful defeats in the previous two continental tournament finals.
FAR Rabat coach Alexandre Santos acknowledged the technical brilliance of Sundowns but expressed immense confidence ahead of the rematch.
The lucrative championship battle concludes next Sunday in Rabat, with a historic six-million-dollar grand prize awaiting the ultimate African victors.
