Downs concede defeat to Wydad in tense African Football League match
The Brazilians will have their work cut out for them as they look to overturn the deficit and lift the inaugural African Football League trophy on Sunday, November 12.
Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their first African Football League defeat as they went down by two goals to one away to Wydad in the first leg of the continental final on Sunday night.
The defeat saw Downs concede for the first time in the new competition and left the team from Pretoria with an uphill battle in Sunday’s upcoming second leg.
It was a cagey start to the game, with the host side dominating possession and The Brazilians having to withstand early spells of pressure.
The first chance of the game came early when Montasser Lahtimi of Wydad broke forward and surged into the penalty area before having his shot courageously blocked by Rivaldo Coetzee.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was called into action not long after, as he made a comfortable save from the free-kick attempt.
Masandawana had to wait almost 40 minutes for their first clear look at a goal when Lesiba Nku found space ahead of him and drove towards the Wydad goal, however, the speedy winger could only find the side-netting.
The hosts took the lead with a few minutes remaining in the first half when Lahtimi jinked his way into the box and played a low cross that was diverted into his own net by Coetzee.
The second half saw both teams ramp up the intensity, as the away side made two changes during the break, with Mosa Lebusa and Lebohang Maboe entering the fray to spark the fightback.
Teboho Mokoena came closest, as he forced Wydad keeper Youssef El Motie to save over the bar after lining up one of his trademark long-distance free-kicks.
Ka Bo Yellow continued applying the pressure and eventually was awarded a penalty after a VAR (video assistant referee) review adjudged Yahya Jabrane to have blocked the shot from Mokoena with his arm in the box.
Moroccan defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil stepped up to the spot and made no mistake as he drew Masandawana level in the game.
With the intensity at its highest and both teams going for the win, it was the hosts who found the back of the net again as Anas Serhatt fired a powerful strike into the back of the net.
Gaston Sirino, Neo Maema and Bongani Zungu all made their way onto the field to try and help Downs pull another one back, however, the team from Casablanca remained resolute in the closing stages to hold onto their advantage.
The Brazilians will have their work cut out for them as they look to overturn the deficit and lift the inaugural African Football League trophy this weekend in Pretoria.
Up next, is a return to South Africa to gear up for a long-awaited return to league action as Bafana Ba Style travel to face AmaZulu.
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