Wydad see off Sundowns in Morocco: What are the talking points?

Wydad Athletic secured a 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the African Football League [AFL] final at Stade Mohammed V Stadium on Sunday night.

The Moroccan side have an advantage going into the second leg, whereas Rulani Mokwena and his troops know that they have a mammoth task to bounce back stronger from the 2-1 goal deficit.  

Below are the talking points from the first leg of the CAF AFL final between Wydad and Bafana Ba Style. 

RIVALDO COETZEE’S OWN GOAL

In the 43rd minute of the showdown, defender Rivaldo Coetzee scored on his own net trying to clear the ball in the 18-yard box.

This is not the first time Sundowns concede an own goal playing against Wydad. It happened in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League last term through Mothobi Mvala.

RONWEN WILLIAMS’ CLEAN SHEETS RECORD BROKEN 

Wydad has put an end to Ronwen Williams’ clean sheets record in the AFL. 

The Bafana Bafana captain came into this encounter yet to concede a goal in the AFL, having kept clean sheets against Petro de Luanda of Angola in the quarter-finals and Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly in the semis.  

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STILL STRUGGLE TO BEAT WYDAD IN MOROCCO 

Mamelodi Sundowns are yet to beat Wydad on their turf. Kaizer Chiefs remain the only South African club to have won against Wydad in Morocco in the CAF club competition.

In fact, Masandawana have visited Morocco on seven occasions, drew two, and lost five four in the process. 

ABDELMOUNAIM BOUTOUIL EQUALISES FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

In the 75th minute, Abdelmounaim Boutouil found an equaliser for the Brazilians. This comes after a penalty was awarded to Sundowns after a VAR check.

However, Sundowns’ joy was short-lived as Serrhat scored the second goal for Wydad. 

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