Sundowns crowned first African Football League champions. Victory against Wydad sees Tshwane giants pocket R75m.
In a historic moment for African football, Mamelodi Sundowns secured their place in the record books as the first team to claim the coveted African Football League (AFL) trophy.
The yellow army, led by coach Rulani Mokwena, demonstrated their dominance with a 2-0 triumph (3-2 on aggregate) over Morocco’s Wydad Athletic Club in a thrilling second-leg final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The atmosphere was electric as Sundowns fans, draped in yellow, filled the stadium to witness the showdown. The stakes were high, and coach Mokwena strategically fielded goal-scoring duo Lucas Ribeiro Costa and the returning Peter Shalulile.
The home side took control from the start, pressuring Wydad, who opted for a defensive stance and infamous time-wasting tactics.
The visitors’ delay tactics backfired when, at the stroke of halftime, Shalulile capitalized on a rebound, leveling the aggregate score to 2-2. The momentum carried into the second half, with Sundowns sealing their victory in the 53rd minute.
Aubrey Modiba’s clever finish over goalkeeper Youssef El Motie ignited wild celebrations among the fans.
Despite Wydad’s efforts to force extra time, Sundowns held firm, learning from past heartbreaks to secure their place in history as AFL champions.
The triumphant moment marks a significant milestone for Mamelodi Sundowns and African football.
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