A wave of yellow has entered the coveted realm of African football.
Mamelodi Sundowns has successfully put to rest the haunting memories of last year’s CAF Champions League semi-final.
In the final match of the African Football League, Masandawana triumphed over Wydad Casablanca with a 2-0 victory in the second leg, securing their grasp on the inaugural continental super cup.
Sundowns entered the game with the knowledge that they had never been defeated by Wydad in Tshwane, understanding that a single goal in their favor could shift the balance.
The initial 20 minutes were marked by an unappealing exchange of small fouls, with both teams struggling to establish cohesion.
Sundowns managed to string together some passes first, while Wydad persisted in disruptive tactics aimed at slowing down the pace of the game.
The frequent interruptions proved detrimental to Wydad’s efforts when, in the 48th minute of an unusually extended 58-minute first half, Peter Shalulile scored.
Tebogo Mokwena delivered a volley from the edge of the box towards the bottom corner of Youssef El Motie’s goal.
Although the Moroccan keeper could only parry it, Shalulile seized the opportunity and slotted it into the net.
Shalulile came close to scoring a second goal from a loose back pass, but a poorly executed midfield pass allowed Aubrey Modiba to capitalize. Modiba calmly chipped the ball over El Motie, sending shockwaves through Loftus Stadium.