The Royal Army Football team returned with a positive draw (1-1) against its host, Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa, in the match that brought them together this Sunday evening in Pretoria, in the sixth and final round of the second group competitions of the African Champions League.
On the other hand, Raja Sports Club left the competition despite its victory over Congolese side Manyema with an unanswered goal, in the match that took place on the grounds of the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
The “Military” team entered the match after ensuring its qualification to the quarter-finals in the last round, setting its sights on achieving a positive result to lead the group. He also aspired for Raja to win by a margin of more than 3 goals, which would have given the “Eagles” the qualification card alongside Al-Jaish.
Mamelodi Sundowns opened the scoring early through their player, Peter Shalulile, in the 12th minute, after a header that did not give goalkeeper Ayoub Khayati any chance. The South African team came close to increasing the score on more than one occasion, but it lacked concentration in front of the Royal Army goal.
In the second half, the Royal Army succeeded in adjusting the score in the 83rd minute, through Amin Zahouh, who took advantage of a pass from the left side to deposit the ball into the net, ending the match in a positive draw (1-1). With this result, Mamelodi Sundowns accompanies the Royal Army to the quarter-finals.
-The first half of the match between Raja and Maniema witnessed clear control of the Casablanca team over the Congolese battlefield, while the counterattacks of the visitors did not pose any significant threat to goalkeeper Mehdi El Harrar.
Manyema suffered a heavy blow after his player, Taboria Simiti, was sent off in the 41st minute, giving Raja a numerical advantage on the field. Adam El-Nafati succeeded in scoring the winning goal for Raja from the penalty spot at the end of the first round.
Despite this, the second half did not witness any additional goals, as both teams missed several opportunities to score, and the match ended with Raja winning (1-0).
FAR finished the group stage leading with 10 points, one point ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. While Raja finished in third place with 8 points, ahead of Congolese Manyema, who ranked fourth with only three points.
