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Aubrey Modiba stepped over the ball, looked up at the top corner, and curled a free kick past Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti in the 37th minute. It was the only goal of the first leg of the 2026 CAF Champions League final. Mamelodi Sundowns lead 1-0 heading into the second leg at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on May 24.
The foul that produced the opportunity was committed by Yunis Abdelhamid on Tashreeq Matthews just outside the penalty area. Modiba, whose second goal of the entire season arrived at the most important moment possible, struck it cleanly and powerfully to the far post. Tagnaouti got fingers to it. Not enough. The ball nestled into the corner and Loftus Versfeld erupted.
What followed for the remaining 53 minutes of normal time was one of the more frustrating displays of finishing Sundowns have produced this season. Brayan Leon squandered two clear chances in the 62nd and 67th minutes. The first was a snap shot that flew over the bar from inside the box when more composure was warranted. The second, a one-on-one with Tagnaouti, produced one of the saves of the night, the Moroccan goalkeeper spreading himself to deny Leon with his legs from close range. Kutlwano Letlhaku then found himself clean through in the 65th minute, only for Tagnaouti to produce another magnificent save. Then, with five minutes remaining, Teboho Mokoena struck a free kick that beat Tagnaouti completely and crashed off the post.
The final scoreline read 1-0. Tagnaouti made it read that way.
How the Match Was Shaped
The first half belonged to Sundowns in possession terms but AS FAR in chances. As reported by Foot Africa, the Moroccan side actually registered three shots to Sundowns's one in the opening 27 minutes and Yunis Abdelhamid went close with a headed effort at the midway point of the first half. Sundowns had 71% possession across the 90 minutes, as confirmed by post-match statistics, but AS FAR's 29% was deployed with more threat per touch than those numbers suggest.
Cardoso made a notable tactical decision in his selection. With Kekana suspended and Mvala long-term injured, he opted for three attack-minded midfielders, pairing Teboho Mokoena with Nuno Santos and Jayden Adams. There was not a single defensive-minded midfielder on the pitch from the first whistle. The instruction was clear: Sundowns were going to control the ball and carry the game to AS FAR.
The second half was disrupted by a 25-minute delay at kickoff after the VAR system failed completely. AS FAR's players initially refused to resume without it, as confirmed by beIN Sports, before eventually agreeing to restart. When they did, Sundowns dominated but could not add to their lead. The substitutions of Monnapule Saleng and Divine Lunga in the final 15 minutes added pace but not the decisive second goal the home side needed.
What Cardoso and Santos Said
"It was a fantastic match between quality teams. We had to be careful as FAR are good at counterattacking," Cardoso told reporters after the match, as quoted by beIN Sports. The understatement carried weight. Sundowns created enough chances to win the first leg more comfortably. They did not take them. A 1-0 lead in a two-legged final at this level is an advantage. It is not security.
Santos was characteristically composed in defeat. "Sundowns are a very formidable side with technically amazing players. They are also vastly experienced Champions League campaigners," he said, as reported by beIN Sports. "But I expect we will win more possession next weekend and create scoring chances. I remain confident that FAR will be African champions." Both clubs reached their second continental final. AS FAR last won in 1985. Sundowns last won in 2016. One of them lifts the trophy on May 24.
The Second Leg Picture
Sundowns have never won in Morocco in the CAF Champions League. AS FAR drew twice with them in last season's group stage. The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium sold out before the first leg was even played, with over half a million fans queuing for tickets, as confirmed by pre-match reports. Cardoso's side travel to Rabat needing to defend a one-goal lead or add to it. Santos's side need a single goal to level the aggregate, and after Tagnaouti's performance at Loftus Versfeld, they go home believing their goalkeeper alone can keep this tie alive.
The away goals rule does not apply after the group stage. If the aggregate is level after 90 minutes in Rabat, extra time and penalties follow. Sundowns need to score. AS FAR need to prevent them. Second leg: May 24, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat. Referee: Somali official Omar Abdulkadir Artan.
Lineups: Sundowns: Williams, Cupido, Mokoena, Mudau, Ndamane, Modiba (Lunga 75), Adams, Matthews (Saleng 88), Santos (Allende 79), Leon (Mothiba 88), Letlhaku (Saleng 74). AS FAR: Tagnaouti, Bach, Abdelhamid, Loudni, Carneiro, Hrimat, Hadraf (Bouriga 75), Ait-Ouarkhane, Hammoudah, Slim (Mbemba 65), El Fahli.
