Mamelodi Sundowns' Jayden Adams celebrates victory after the CAF Champions League second leg final t Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco
Image: Nabil Ramdani/BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams has hailed Teboho Mokoena’s strike as the game-changing moment in the CAF Champions League second-leg final in Rabat on Sunday evening.
Sundowns were crowned champions of Africa, earning their second continental star exactly a decade after their maiden win in 2016, courtesy of a 2–1 aggregate victory over Morocco’s AS FAR.
The tie was evenly poised at the stroke of half-time after a penalty by Mohamed Hrimat had levelled the overall score at 1–1.
But up stepped Mokoena to regain Sundowns’ ascendancy with a timely strike before the players went back into the tunnel at the interval.
Adams, who had an excellent match in the heart of the Sundowns midfield, believes Mokoena’s goal not only silenced the hostile home fans but also gave the visitors the belief they could go on to achieve the impossible.
“I think [Mokoena’s goal] changed the mood a lot,” said Adams.
“I think going into the second half, we were like, 'We can't concede another one.' We were fighting for each other, fighting for the team, fighting for the coach. We gave it everything.”
Sundowns have experienced much heartache in the CAF Champions League over the last decade— most notably last season when they fell short in the final against Egyptian side Pyramids.
But they now finally have the much-coveted second star, and hence have become the only South African team to win the CAF Champions League on two occasions.
Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates are the only other South African team to rule the continent, having won their maiden trophy back in 1995.
“I'm very satisfied after this. I think this is the cherry on the cake for the season,” said the former Stellenbosch FC star.
“We worked hard for this, for this moment. I think the fighting spirit from our side was just 100%.”