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AS FAR’s brief history against South African clubs ahead of TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final

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Moroccan side AS FAR will face Mamelodi Sundowns in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League this season, only the second time they have come up against South African opposition in their history.

It is a repeat of their group-stage clashes last season against Sundowns, both of which ended 1-1.

It is an oddity that South African and Moroccan clubs have only recently started to clash regularly in CAF interclub competitions, with meetings before the last decade or so exceedingly rare.

AS FAR and Sundowns do have a more extensive history in women’s football, having clashed several times in the CAF Women’s Champions League, where they have shared final wins to lift the trophy.

But in the men’s game, they had been kept apart until last season.

In the first game in Rabat, it was a tight affair until Iqraam Rayners gave Sundowns the lead on 66 minutes.

But the home side fought back for a draw as Mohamed Hrimat netted on 74 minutes to make the score 1-1, which was how it stayed.

The second fixture saw Sundowns needing a draw to reach the knockout rounds and, on a nervous afternoon at Loftus Stadium, they managed a 1-1 result.

Peter Shalulile's early strike seemed to have set them on their way before Amine Zouhzouh's 83rd-minute leveller for AS FAR ensured a nervous finale.

Shalulile struck in the 12th minute, capitalising on excellent work from Lucas Ribeiro to give the hosts a dream start. The Namibian's composed finish reflected Sundowns' early dominance as they sought to secure their knockout-stage berth.

But AS FAR, already qualified and determined to maintain their grip on top spot, emerged for the second half with renewed purpose. Their persistence finally paid off when Zouhzouh, following smart play from Youssef El Fahli, silenced the home crowd with seven minutes remaining.

Several other Moroccan sides have faced South African opponents, most notably Wydad Casablanca and Raja Casablanca, but also AS FAR’s city rivals FUS Rabat.