AS FAR qualifies for the African Champions League final
Despite being beaten in Berkane, AS FAR has qualified for the African Champions League final. The Moroccan capital club will face their South African counterparts Mamelodi Sundowns, who defeated Esperance de Tunis.
The African Champions League final this year will feature an unprecedented match-up between AS FAR from Morocco and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. The Brazilians, who were champions in 2016, confirmed their victory in the first leg against Esperance de Tunis on the latter’s home ground (1-0). Once again, Colombian Brayan Leon scored the winning goal. This time, the former Independiente Medellin player converted a penalty after initially being saved by Bechir Ben Saad (30th minute). The visitors, led by French coach Patrice Beaumelle, then tried to respond but lacked precision, as shown by Florian Danho’s shot hitting the crossbar. Unfortunate finalists last season, South Africa’s champions will have another shot at glory.
AS FAR, 41 years later
To once again inscribe their name in the history of the most prestigious of African club competitions, the players backed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe will have to overcome AS FAR from Morocco. With a victory (2-0) in Rabat in the first leg, the military team held off the comeback of RS Berkane. The visitors conceded a penalty (debatable) converted by Yassine Labhiri around the hour mark but did not break, even after seven minutes of injury time. Having previously eliminated the previous champions Pyramids, managed by Portuguese Alexandre Santos, the players will aim to add a second African star to the club’s history, having been crowned in 1985. The competition was then still called the African Cup of Champions Clubs. The first leg will be played on May 15 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, with the second leg on May 24 at Complexe Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
