Mamelodi Sundowns secured a valuable away point in Group B of the CAF Champions League after they held Association Sportive des Forces Armées Royales (ASFAR) 1-1 at the El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida on Saturday night.
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The result sees the Moroccan club remain top of the log with four points, while the South African team is placed second on two points.
AS Maniema Union (DR Congo) and Raja Casablanca (Morocco) complete the quartet in the group on two points and one point respectively.
Despite numerous saves and missed chances, tonight's match concludes in a draw. 👏#TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/hL1cCok7LI
— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) December 7, 2024
A restrained opening half hour saw neither side able to really threaten the other’s defence, though Sundowns suffered a blow in the backline when Mothobi Mvala succumbed to injury.
He was replaced by Mosa Lebusa on 24 minutes.
Football brilliance on display by both teams tonight. 🪄 #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/1iJvQqCIMM
— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) December 7, 2024
ASFAR had a couple of half chances through the remainder of the first half, but it was no surprise when the interval arrived with the teams locked at 0-0.
Sundowns had to wait until early in the second half to have their first shot, which was a wild, long-range effort from Aubrey Modiba that flew high and wide.
ASFAR tested ‘Downs goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in the 55th minute, with Amine Zouhzouh’s effort direct from a free kick forcing a sharp save, and the Bafana Bafana captain made an even better stop a short while later to keep out a low shot from Anas Bach.
That signalled the start of a spell of pressure from the Moroccan hosts in which they further tested Williams and Sundowns’ defence, but the South African visitors then claimed the lead against the run of play on 66 minutes.
A route-one ball from Williams bounced up perfectly for Iqraam Rayners, who crashed home an unstoppable volley from the edge of the box to put the Brazilians 1-0 up.
Sundowns’ lead lasted just eight minutes before ASFAR struck back to make it 1-1, with Mohamed Hrimat turning home Youssef El Fahli’s teasing cross from the right flank.
Rather than the Rabat side chasing a late winner, it was the Brazilians who looked the likelier scorers in the dying minute, with Peter Shalulile, Lebusa and Rayners all spurning chances to put themselves back in the lead.
Sundowns did, however, end the match on a low note when Modiba picked up a second yellow card in injury time and was sent off a few minutes before the final whistle.
Sundowns are reduced to 10 men as Modiba sees red 🔴
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 7, 2024
📺 Stream #TotalEnergiesCAFCL on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/j5FMOBkSPa
The teams will be back in CAFCL action next weekend, with ASFAR away to AS Maniema Union in DR Congo, while Sundowns will host Morocco’s Raja Casablanca in South Africa.
ASFAR (0) 1 (Hrimat 74’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Rayners 66’)
ASFAR: Benabid, Boukhriss, Houeibib, Essaouabi, Carneiro, Bach, Hrimat (Hadraf 90+1), Zouhzouh, Ouarkhane, El Fahli, Beya (Hammoudan 78’)
Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Khoza, Mvala (Lebusa 24’), Modiba, Mokoena, Aubaas (Morena 73’), Allende, Ribeiro (Maboe 73’), Shalulile, Rayners