Pretoria : Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (AS FAR) in the first leg of the 2026 CAF Champions League Final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday. The South African side will travel to Rabat next week holding a slender advantage, but the result was overshadowed by significant technical issues with the match officiating system.
Modiba’s Free-Kick Decides Tense Final
The only goal of the contest came eight minutes before halftime, when Sundowns left back Aubrey Modiba bent a superb free kick beyond the reach of the AS FAR goalkeeper. The strike proved decisive in a match that was cagey and tightly contested for long stretches.
Despite controlling possession for much of the game, hosts Sundowns were unable to convert their dominance into a more comfortable scoreline. Colombian forward Brayan Leon missed several clear chances in the second half, a factor that kept AS FAR firmly in the tie ahead of the second leg.
VAR Breakdown Mars Second Half Start
A significant talking point of the night came just before the second half. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system malfunctioned, leading to a 20-minute delay before play resumed. Confusion over whether the technology was operational sparked debate among officials, with both teams eventually agreeing to continue without VAR. Such a disruption in a major continental final was widely seen as a blemish on an otherwise high-profile fixture.
Match Flow and Key Records
Sundowns largely controlled the tempo, registering over 70% possession and maintaining their impressive home defensive record by keeping a clean sheet for the fourth straight CAF Champions League home game this season. AS FAR, meanwhile, failed to register a single shot on target, highlighting their struggles to convert chances in South Africa.
This result extends Sundowns’ positive run in continental competition. They were runners-up in last year’s edition and previously lifted the Champions League trophy in 2016. AS FAR, by contrast, are seeking their first African club title since winning the predecessor competition more than four decades ago.
Looking Ahead to Rabat
With the second leg scheduled for May 24 in Rabat, Sundowns will aim to protect their narrow advantage on foreign soil, while AS FAR must find a breakthrough in front of their supporters to swing the tie in their favor. The outcome in Morocco will ultimately decide the 2026 champion of African club football.
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