The CAF Champions League final remains finely balanced after Mamelodi Sundowns secured a narrow 1–0 victory over AS FAR in the first leg in Pretoria, with both head coaches insisting the battle for the continental title is far from over.
Speaking after the match, AS FAR coach Alexandre Santos said his side must quickly move on from the defeat and focus on the decisive second leg scheduled for May 24 in Rabat, where the Moroccan club will rely on home support to attempt a comeback.
Santos believed his team showed promising attacking phases during the first half, particularly between the 20th and 40th minutes, but admitted defensive mistakes and spaces left open allowed Sundowns to capitalize.
“Our playing philosophy is based on taking the initiative, but in major matches like this, balance is essential throughout the game,” he said.
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso described the result as an important psychological advantage rather than a definitive outcome, warning that the return leg in Morocco would be extremely challenging.
The only goal of the match came in the 37th minute through South African international Aubrey Modiba, who scored from a long-range set piece beyond the reach of AS FAR goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti.
Cardoso praised his squad’s ability to create scoring opportunities “at any moment and on any ground,” while also acknowledging the attacking quality displayed by the Moroccan side.
“In the return leg, we will focus on preserving our football identity and style of play, while showing greater respect to AS FAR, which has proven to be a formidable opponent with the mentality of a champion,” he said.
The South African coach also called for higher technical standards from VAR officiating teams following a disruption early in the second half caused by a video assistant referee issue.
