Wydad Pay Tribute to Late Defender Oussama Falouh During AFL Final Against Mamelodi Sundowns

• Wydad AC have paid tribute to the late defender, Oussama Falouh
• The left-back died after succumbing to road accident injuries
• Wydad defeated Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the African Football League final

Wydad Athletic Club dedicated their African Football League final first-leg victory to defender Oussama Falouh, who tragically died from road accident injuries.

The 24-year-old, whose car was hit by a heavy goods truck, passed away after days in an intensive care unit of a Casablanca hospital.

Before the game against Mamelodi Sundowns in Morocco on Sunday night, the two teams observed a minute of silence for the late left-back.

In a video shared on social media, Wydad AC and Sundowns displayed a photo of the player before the stadium announcer gave the green light for a minute's silence.

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Meanwhile, Montassir Lahtimi, who created the opener after forcing an own goal from Rivaldo Coetzee, celebrated by lifting his shirt up to show his respect for the two-time capped Morocco international.

Sundowns responded after the break from the spot through Abdelmounaim Boutouil.

However, Anas Serrhat scored a belter to secure victory for the former African champions ahead of the second leg in South Africa next week.

"The Confederation of African Football is saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Wydad Casablanca player, Osama Falouh who succumbed to injuries following a car accident. CAF wishes to convey its heartfelt condolences to the family, the club and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. May Osama Falouh spirit rest in peace," wrote CAF on their official website.

The African Football League is a new continental championship which features the top eight clubs on the continent.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Wydad Casablanca of Morocco reached the inaugural African Football League final after gripping semi-final second legs.

Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saved a penalty and Egyptian side Al Ahly struck the woodwork in a 0-0 draw in Cairo that gave the club from Pretoria a 1-0 aggregate victory.

In Rades, Esperance of Tunisia edged Wydad 1-0 on the night through a Rodrigo Rodrigues goal, but he had his penalty saved in a shoot-out, which the Moroccans won 5-4 after a 1-1 aggregate draw.