Mamelodi Sundowns were victorious on their return to the African Champions League final, having lost last season's showpiece tie against Egyptian side Pyramids

🌐 Here's What Happened

South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns won their second African Champions League title as a 1-1 draw away against AS FAR proved enough to clinch a 2-1 aggregate victory in the final.

Sundowns took a 1-0 lead into the second leg in Rabat thanks to Aubrey Modiba's strike last Sunday, but Mohamed Hrimat levelled the tie five minutes before half-time from the penalty spot after Divine Lunga had fouled Reda Slim.

However, in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time, Teboho Mokoena rattled a brilliant half-volley in off the underside of the bar to equalise on the night and restore his side's advantage on aggregate.

📌 Key Details

With away goals still used in the African Champions League, the midfielder's strike crucially left Moroccans AS FAR needing two more goals to lift the trophy.

The hosts had a glorious opportunity to revive their hopes in the 77th minute after being awarded another penalty, yet Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams brilliantly saved Hrimat's second attempt from 12 yards.

Jalal-Eddine El Khfiyef fired over late on for AS FAR and Sundowns saw out eight minutes of added time to claim their first continental title since their maiden triumph in 2016.

The South Africans, beaten in the final by Egyptian outfit Pyramids last season, pick up a record $6m (£4.49m) in prize money as well as booking a place at the 2029 Fifa Club World Cup.

The vast majority of a near-capacity crowd at the 70,000-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium were hoping to see AS FAR win African football's top club honour for the first time since 1985, and they created an intimidating atmosphere for Sundowns in the early stages.

Yet there were few clear sights at goal before Somalian referee Omar Artan was sent to his pitch-side monitor by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and he eventually decided Sundowns left-back Lunga had caught winger Slim on the back of his leg while attempting a clearance.

📰 Source: BBC Africa