The first leg of the African Football League final was won by Wydad Casablanca. The Moroccan team defeated Mamelodi Sundowns by a small margin (2-1) in front of their home supporters.
Mamelodi Sundowns was defeated by Wydad Casablanca in the opening leg of the African Football League final.On Sunday, November 5, the Moroccans overcame a deficit to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 at the Stade Mohamed V.
Although it was a very level contest, the hosts prevailed. Wydad got the first opportunity of the game after a hesitant start. In fact, the Moroccans believed they had taken the lead in the 28th minute. The Mamelodi box was crossed, but no Wydad player was there to accept it. The ball found its way into South African goalkeeper Williams’ arms. The Moroccans did not score until the fortyth minute. From the right, Mountassir Lathtimi made a low crossing. In an attempt to keep the ball out, Mamelodi defender Rivaldo Coetzee placed it in the back of the net. Wydad Casablanca wins 1-0.
In the 44th minute, Wydad had a chance to increase their lead. However, Grand Kekana, a defender, kept his team alive.Grant returned to stop El Bahri as he sprinted towards the Mamelodi goal. A masterful defusing maneuver that avoided a confrontation. The player who had played a key role in the first goal, Wydad’s Lathimi, was lost just before they entered the changing room. Lathimi and Kekana clashed hard at knee level. Lathimi departed the field after suffering severe injuries.
Tense intermission
Wydad came very close to breaking the tie in the second half, but the South Africans never looked like they could. Ronwen Williams was nearly cut off on a free-kick by Ayoub El Amloud. A manifestly unreal lack of concern. Mamelodi Sundowns scored a penalty kick to tie the score.
A Wydad defender’s arm stopped Mokoena’s effort from a corner from South Africa. The referee indicated the penalty spot after seeing the VAR. Abdelmounaim Boutouli converted it right away to tie the score for his team (74th). The South Africans’ happiness, however, was fleeting. Anas Serrhat gave them back the lead in only four minutes after the equalizer. Serrhat (78th) sent a hard shot into the upper corner of Williams’ goal after receiving a pass from midway. There was a buzz at the conclusion of the game. Mamelodi launched an offensive, but the Wydad defense held firm.
At the very end of the game, the Moroccans even had a chance to score the third goal.
Bouly Junior Sambou expertly supplied Hamdou Elhouni during a Wydad counterattack, and Elhouni curled a shot from the outside of the box over the crossbar. The score stayed the same, and on Sunday, November 12, the South Africans will try to make up for lost time at home in the return leg.
