There’s something beautifully decisive about a free-kick struck with such precision that even the goalkeeper’s desperate hand can’t keep it out. That’s what Aubrey Modiba delivered on Sunday at Loftus Versfeld, and it might just be the moment that tips the CAF Champions League final in Mamelodi Sundowns’favor.
The South African club’s left-back seized the 37th-minute opportunity to curl a left-footed thunderbolt past Ahmed Tagnaouti’s right hand, sending it into the corner with the kind of technique that reminds you why these competitions matter. One goal. One brilliant strike. That’s all Sundowns needed to take control of the first leg against Moroccan visitors FAR Rabat, leaving the return match in Rabat next Sunday wide open but firmly in Sundowns’grasp.
What makes this even more significant is what Sundowns left on the table. They were genuinely dominant in the second half, particularly around the hour mark when the Pretoria crowd sensed a rout building. Colombian striker Brayan Leon, who’s been a revelation since arriving four months ago with 16 goals across all competitions, somehow squandered two gilt-edged chances. His snap shot sailed over from inside the box, and minutes later his low drive with only Tagnaouti to beat drifted well wide. Kutlwano Letlhaku had another opportunity that Tagnaouti blocked with his legs. FAR got incredibly lucky—a Teboho Mokoena free-kick with five minutes remaining actually hit the post with the goalkeeper beaten. In another timeline, Sundowns are up by three or four.
But this is knockout football. One goal can be enough, and it often is. Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns’Portuguese coach, knows the pressure mounting in Rabat will be intense. He’s chasing redemption after losing the last two Champions League finals—with Tunisian club Esperance in 2024 and with Sundowns last season. He’s also dealing with the practical headache of a 25-minute second-half delay because VAR malfunctioned (it was eventually restored), which broke rhythm but didn’t break his team’s focus.
FAR’s coach Alexandre Santos struck an optimistic tone despite his team failing to register a single shot on target in Pretoria. He’s banking on a different script in Rabat, where possession and the hostile atmosphere might favor the Moroccans. Both clubs are chasing their second continental title—FAR won in 1985, Sundowns in 2016. The prize is substantial: six million dollars for the champions, four million for runners-up, plus a CAF Super Cup matchup against Confederation Cup winners USMA of Algeria.
Sundowns will travel to Morocco with the advantage, but advantages in these finals are fragile things. One moment of individual brilliance—like Modiba’s free-kick—can build them. One lapse in concentration can erase them. Rabat’s going to be roaring. Can Cardoso and company keep their composure and finish the job?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
