LEBOGANG Modiba’s fierce strike propels Mamelodi Sundowns with a 1-0 win caution in the return leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final, next week in Morocco.
The Bafana Bafana defender, whose left-footed strike in the first half, secured his team win against the equally stubborn FAR Rabat at the packed Loftus Stadium, in Pretoria, that saw yellow and green jersey suppressing the visitors.
Host FAR Rabat fans, will come out in numbers in Morocco next Sunday, to intimidate a handful Downs supporters.
Back to the game- Downs’ should have buried the game with more than five goals that were missed but had to settle for Modiba to score directly from a free-kick in a CAF Champions League.
For Downs’ it was first-ever win over FAR Rabat after drawing both group stage meetings earlier in the season.
Masandawana dominated the game hence the missed opportunities to increase their tally, having remarkably held on the ball, that ignited fans to be on the edge of their seats and young-ones whistling feverishly. Ah, what would the game be without the drums, like possessed demons?
FAR Rabat only managed a single shot on target over 90 minutes, meaning the disciplined last line of defence by Downs’ kept their goalminder Ronwen Williams counting fans instead of keeping the goals.
Miguel Cardoso’s side not only secured a historic result but also ‘produced numbers that underlined their growing status as one of the continent’s most controlling and tactically mature teams’.
However, CAF should look into what led to FAR Barat minority fans who threw chairs and insulted Downs’ fans.
That behaviour almost ruined the beautiful game but thanks to rapid response from Police and Security, it was dwarfed immediately.
Unfortunately, a fan of visiting team had to be carried to hospital.
It has become a norm for Moroccan side’s that whenever they play in SA, fans tend to be hostile towards the host.
For Downs’ they know the situation is going to be hostile and unbecoming in Morocco- but since being seasoned travellers they would know how to deal with such, mentally.
Oh, a win for Masandawana could finally deliver continental glory after a 10-year wait…Amen!
Image supplied (Brazilian players celebrating with scorer Lebogang Modiba, against FAR Rabat during the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League first-leg final, at Loftus Stadium, Pretoria on Sunday evening.)
