Mokoena magic leads Mamelodi Sundowns to CAF Champions League title

The Moroccan team took the lead at the 40-minute mark when captain Mohamed Hrimat converted a penalty, levelling the aggregate score after Sundowns secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Pretoria the previous weekend.

However, Mokoena calmed the visitors' nerves with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, beating goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti and hitting the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Hrimat missed a penalty with 15 minutes left, allowing Sundowns to hold on and clinch the title for the second time, following their 2016 triumph, and securing spots in both the Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 Club World Cup.

Sundowns were without regular left-back Aubrey Modiba, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first leg after scoring the winning free-kick. He was replaced by Zimbabwean international Divine Lunga.

Modiba hopes the injury doesn't jeopardise his participation in the 2026 World Cup, where he is Bafana Bafana's first-choice left-back.

AS FAR had a golden opportunity to take the lead when captain Mohamed Hrimat found himself unmarked in the box but sent his shot high and wide.

The first shot on target came in the 24th minute, but Kutlwano Lethlaku's weak effort posed no threat to AS FAR goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti.

Sundowns were unusually careless in possession, allowing AS FAR to launch several dangerous attacks that lacked finishing.

When Lunga fouled Reda Slim from behind during a clearance attempt, the home side were awarded a penalty after a VAR review by Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who initially dismissed their appeals.

Hrimat made no mistake from the spot at the 40-minute mark, coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner, sending Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams the wrong way.

Abdelfettah Hadraf fired wide for the home side, while Brayan Leon forced a good save from Tagnaouti after connecting with Lunga's cross from the left.

Sundowns equalised just before halftime, a crucial goal that shifted momentum.

Leon's cross was flicked on by Tashreeq Matthews, and Mokoena unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the box that rattled the net off the crossbar.

While Mokoena has scored many spectacular goals, this one stood out for its quality and significance, leaving AS FAR needing two more to win.

Sundowns brought on Chilean midfielder Marcelo Allende for Lethlaku to bolster midfield control, and it was confirmed at halftime that reserve keeper Denis Onyango received a red card for an off-pitch incident.

Hadraf was fortunate to escape a straight red after headbutting Sundowns' Jayden Adams, receiving only a yellow in a baffling decision by officials.

Sundowns adopted a defensive approach, packing bodies behind the ball, with Leon left to lead the attack alone.

AS FAR were awarded a second penalty when Williams fouled Youssef El Fahli after fumbling a routine shot, but Williams redeemed himself with a superb save to deny AS FAR a comeback.