Mamelodi Sundowns’ hopes of securing a top finish in their CAF Champions League group were thwarted in dramatic fashion on Sunday evening, as they dropped points in the dying moments of their match against AS FAR Rabat at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The Premier Soccer League giants were poised to finish in first place in Group B after Peter Shalulile’s early goal put them ahead in the 12th minute, but a late equalizer from Rabat’s Amin Zouhzouh saw the match end in a 1-1 draw, which meant Sundowns had to settle for second place in the group.
With the match underway, Sundowns looked confident and in control. The early breakthrough by Shalulile seemed to set the tone for what could have been a routine victory for the defending South African champions. Shalulile’s goal was well-taken, giving Sundowns the perfect start they needed to secure all three points and finish atop the group. At that point, it seemed as though they were well on their way to achieving their goal of topping Group B, a result that would have guaranteed them an easier route in the knockout stages of the competition.
However, AS FAR Rabat, the Moroccan giants, had other plans. Despite Sundowns controlling large parts of the game, Rabat refused to give up, continuously pressing for an equalizer. As the match wore on, Sundowns appeared to lose their rhythm and struggled to deal with the late pressure from the visitors. With only minutes remaining, AS FAR Rabat found the breakthrough they had been searching for when Zouhzouh scored in the closing stages of the match, leveling the score at 1-1. The late equalizer not only denied Sundowns the chance to extend their lead but also meant they would finish second in the group, a place they might have felt they deserved after dominating much of the match.
This result was especially frustrating for Sundowns, given that the reverse fixture between the two teams had also ended in a draw, meaning they were left with just two points from the two encounters. As a result, AS FAR Rabat claimed the top spot in Group B, while Sundowns, despite their strong performances throughout the group stage, were forced to settle for second place. While the point was enough to see Sundowns through to the knockout rounds, the disappointment of missing out on first place was palpable.
Sundowns’ head coach, Miguel Cardoso, was visibly furious after the match, and his frustration was evident in his post-match comments. The Portuguese tactician was particularly upset with how his players allowed Rabat to capitalize on a moment of vulnerability in the closing stages of the game. Cardoso had stressed the importance of securing the win to finish first in the group, and he clearly felt that his side had let that opportunity slip away. His anger was not just about the result, but also about the way his players failed to manage the game effectively during those critical final moments.
Cardoso’s frustration stemmed from a feeling that his team had allowed their focus to slip, letting a game that they had been in control of for much of the 90 minutes slip through their fingers. Sundowns’ inability to hold onto their lead, particularly after Shalulile’s early goal, seemed like a lack of concentration or possibly an overconfidence that crept in as they neared the final whistle. The late goal conceded to Rabat left Cardoso seething, and his disappointment was clear as he pointed out that his team could have and should have done better in those key moments.
While the result was disappointing for Sundowns, it also highlighted some important lessons as they now prepare for the knockout rounds of the CAF Champions League. The fact that they were in a position to top the group for much of the game shows the quality of the squad, but the inability to finish the job will undoubtedly be a wake-up call for both the players and coaching staff. It also emphasized the importance of maintaining focus throughout the entire 90 minutes, especially in high-stakes matches like those in the CAF Champions League group stage.
For Cardoso, this match was a reminder of the fine margins that often decide the fate of teams at the highest level of competition. As Sundowns look ahead to the knockout rounds, they will need to work on closing out games more effectively and ensuring that they don’t allow such late drama to derail their ambitions. The missed opportunity to finish first in the group may sting for a while, but they will need to quickly put this result behind them and refocus on the challenges that lie ahead.
Despite finishing second in the group, Sundowns remain one of the favorites to go deep into the tournament, given their squad depth and experience. The disappointment of missing out on top spot, however, will likely serve as motivation to ensure that they don’t make the same mistakes in the knockout stages. For now, Sundowns will need to regroup, learn from their mistakes, and move forward with the belief that they still have what it takes to succeed in Africa’s premier club competition.
