South Africa’s Sundowns win maiden Africa Super League

On Nov 13, 2023

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won the inaugural African Football League on Sunday, beating Wydad Casablanca of Morocco 2-0 in the second leg of the final at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, South Africa.

It gave them a 3-2 aggregate win in the first edition of Africa’s effort at launching a super league, which was reduced from a planned 24-club league to a six-week, eight-team knockout tournament.

Trailing 2-1 from last weekend’s first leg in Casablanca, Sundowns evened the aggregate score in stoppage time at the end of the first half through Peter Shalulile.

Wydad goalkeeper Youssef el Motie parried a Teboho Mokoena shot from the edge of the box and Shalulile reacted quickest to slam the ball into the roof of the net.

The goal finally gave the capacity 50,000 crowd, which included the presidents of FIFA and CAF, Gianni Infantino and Patrice Motsepe, something to cheer.

Sundowns added a second goal seven minutes into the second half when Aubrey Modhiba stole away possession before chipping the ball over the Wydad goalkeeper.

Numerous stoppages for injuries, overly physical challenges, and time-wasting by the Casablanca outfit combined to deliver an opening half far below what was anticipated.

Wydad Casablanca’s Anas Serrhat in action with Mamelodi Sundowns’ Themba Zwane at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa – November 12, 2023

A wayward Wydad pass in their own half led to Sundowns’ scoring again eight minutes into the second half.

The ball was intercepted by Modiba, who eluded the challenges of two Moroccans before lifting the ball over El Motie and into the net.

Needing to score at least once to force extra time, Wydad became more adventurous and captain Ayoub el Amloud had a powerful header off a corner saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Defender El Amloud, deputising as skipper for suspended midfielder Yahya Jabrane, proved the biggest threat to Sundowns with another header not far off target.

Relive the #AFL magic in a whirlwind of unforgettable moments! ✨🎥#CAF | #FIFA | #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/67tn9FhIOu

— African Football League (@afl_africa) November 12, 2023

In previous rounds of the eight-club competition, Sundowns beat Petro Luanda of Angola and record 11-time CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt.

CAF, who battled to secure sponsorship for the League, hope to expand it to 24 clubs for the 2024-2025 season.

A super league for Africa was originally suggested by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who condemned similar efforts in Europe while saying it could transform the game in Africa.

He attended the match in Pretoria on Sunday, along with a capacity crowd who had been granted free entry.