Sundowns edge Royal Armed Forces 1‑0 in a tense CAF Champions League final first leg
- Nishadil
- May 18, 2026
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Mamelodi Sundowns claim narrow advantage over Royal Armed Forces in first leg of African Champions League final
In a tightly‑contested showdown in Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns scraped a 1‑0 win over Royal Armed Forces, taking a slim lead into the second leg of the CAF Champions League final.
When the two sides walked onto the pitch in Pretoria, you could feel the electricity in the air – a final first‑leg, after all. Both clubs knew the margin would be razor‑thin, and the crowd was buzzing with anticipation.
Sundowns, coached by Rhulani Mokwena, pressed high from the get‑go, trying to force an early mistake. Royal Armed Forces, disciplined and patient, kept a compact shape, looking to hit on the counter. The first half passed with chances at both ends but no breakthrough, the defensive lines holding firm.
It was in the 68th minute that the deadlock finally cracked. A lofted cross from the right found its way into the box, and in a moment of chaos a Sundowns defender smothered the ball, only for it to ricochet off his foot and into his own net. The stadium erupted – a mixture of joy for the home side and disbelief for the visitors.
Coach Mokwena, who had been pacing along the sidelines, tried to keep his players focused, reminding them that a single‑goal lead can be fragile. Meanwhile, Royal Armed Forces’ manager urged his side to stay patient, emphasizing that the tie was far from over.
The final minutes saw Sundowns clamp down, soaking up pressure and looking to add another goal, while Royal Armed Forces pushed hard, desperate for an away goal. In the end, the whistle blew at 1‑0, giving the South Africans a slender cushion heading back home for the second leg.
Both camps will now regroup and tweak their plans. Sundowns will aim to protect the advantage, whereas Royal Armed Forces will be looking to overturn the deficit when they travel to their own ground. The second leg promises to be a fascinating chess match, and fans on both continents are already counting down the days.
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