Mamelodi Sundowns are going for the biggest payday in African football when they meet Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in the final of the African Football League (AFL).
Sundowns, the South African champions, defeating Egyptian rivals Al Ahly 1-0 on aggregate after playing to a goalless draw in Cairo on Thursday night. Downs did the job at home when they won 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld on October 29.
The final of the inaugural AFL tournament carries the first prize of $4-million (R74-million). The dates for the two-leg final are Sunday November 5 with Wydad hosting and the second leg on November 11 in Pretoria.
In Cairo on Thursday, Masandawana were pushed all the way by a resilient Red Devils outfit who fought hard to be in the first final of AFL.
Former Downs star Percy Tau was first to threaten, as he had a header saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Wiliams at the near post.
Tau and Williams would be at the centre of the action a few minutes later as the two Bafana Bafana internationals collided in the box, with the referee awarding a penalty to the team in red.
After a lengthy delay, Ali Maaloul stepped up to the spot and saw his penalty saved by the heroic Williams – who was making is second AFL penalty save.
At the other end of the pitch The Brazilians faced a scare as confusion in the box led to Adbelmounaim Boutouil unknowingly making a goal-line save before Grant Kekana cleared away.
For their effort in the tournament, Al Ahly and another losing semifinalist, Esperance of Tunisia, each take home $1,7-million (R31-million).
Launched as the Africa Super League on August 10 2022, the initially plan with the AFL was to create a tournament featuring 24 elite African clubs with a promotion/relegation system. However, the Confederation of African Football later decided to scale it down to eight teams for the inaugural edition.
The AFL will not replace existing CAF club championships – the Champions League and the Confederation Cup.
