
Mamelodi Sundowns only require a draw to secure their position in the knockout rounds of the CAF Champions League, following a 1-1 stalemate between FAR Rabat and Raja Casablanca at Stade d’Honneur in Miknâs on Saturday.
This outcome ensures that Sundowns, currently in second place in Group B with eight points from five matches, can only be surpassed by Raja (in third) or AS Maniema Union (in last) in the final group stage match if they manage to win against the Congolese team.
With Rabat and Sundowns holding the top two spots in the group, the forthcoming match between the two will decide the group champion.
Sundowns are set to host Rabat at Loftus Stadium next Sunday. A victory for Sundowns will guarantee them the top position in the group, enabling them to play the second leg of the quarter-finals on home soil in South Africa.
The Moroccan Derby seemed destined for a goalless result initially. However, in the 40th minute, an own goal by Raja goalkeeper Anas Zniti from a corner kick unexpectedly gave FAR Rabat the lead.
In the second half, the match saw little action until the 77th minute when Raja was given a penalty. Naoufel Zerhouni coolly converted the penalty, redirecting Zniti to level the match.
While both teams had opportunities in the closing moments, the score remained the same, confirming that a draw between Sundowns and Rabat will allow both teams to move forward to the knockout stages.
Sundowns claimed an important victory in their earlier match on Saturday, with Namibian forward Peter Shalulile scoring two late goals to overcome Maniema Union in Kinshasa.
Shalulile, who had recently lost his starting spot to Iqraam Rayners, came off the bench to score both goals. However, it seems that his second goal may have been redirected into the net by a Maniema player, which could classify it as an own goal.