Teboho Mokoena’s thunderous strike silences Rabat to secure Mamelodi Sundowns continental glory

With Mamelodi Sundowns under extreme pressure, Teboho Mokoena stepped up with a spectacular, tie-defining thunderbolt to bring the CAF Champions League trophy home. Photo: Backpagepix

There are goals that win matches. Then there are goals that completely alter the emotional direction of a final.

Teboho Mokoena delivered exactly that moment for Mamelodi Sundowns in Rabat on Sunday night. With Sundowns under enormous pressure inside a hostile Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the midfielder produced the defining strike of the CAF Champions League final to help carry the Brazilians toward continental glory.

At that stage of the match, the momentum had shifted dangerously toward AS FAR Rabat.

The Moroccan side had just levelled the aggregate score after Mohamed Hrimat converted from the penalty spot following a lengthy VAR review. The sold-out crowd had erupted, Sundowns looked rattled and the hosts suddenly appeared capable of overwhelming the South African champions before halftime.