By Victor Kanayo
Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa on Sunday evening became the first club side to win maiden African Football League (AFL) title.
This was after they subdued Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 2-0 at home in Pretoria to win the title 3-2 on aggregate.
Wydad had led the pack 2-1 in Morocco few day ago, needing at least two goals to lift the diadem.
However, it was Sundowns that turned the tie around, thanks to second-half goals from Peter Shalulile and Aubrey Modiba at a raucous Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The triumph caps a historic continental double for Sundowns, who also won the CAF Champions League in 2022.
How The Soweto Side Turned Things Around
The hosts started slowly as Wydad disrupted their rhythm through intensive pressing and fouls.
But Sundowns evened the aggregate score in stoppage time at the end of the first half through Peter Shalulile.
They added a second goal seven minutes into the second half when Aubrey Modhiba stole away possession before chipping the ball over the Wydad goalkeeper.
Another Continental Giant Stride Endorsed By FIFA
Heritage Times HT reports that FIFA President Gianni Infantino was among the dignitaries who graced the final of AFL.
The continental competition has now been added to the Champions League and Confederation Cup.
