When Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 with Wiliete at Loftus Versfeld last month, the defending champions went out of the CAF Champions League. The tie finished 1-1 on aggregate after a 0-0 first leg in Angola, and Wiliete went through because they had scored away from home.
The away goals rule disappeared from European football five years ago, but it is still part of CAF’s club competitions.
How it works in Africa
If a two-legged tie is level on aggregate, the team that scored more goals away from home goes through. If away goals are also level, CAF goes straight to a penalty shootout, with no extra time.
That’s how Kaizer Chiefs went out of the Confederation Cup against Red Arrows. Each side won 1-0 at home, so the tie went to penalties, and Chiefs lost the shootout 3-2.
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Why UEFA scrapped it
UEFA brought in the rule in 1965 and abolished it from the 2021-22 season. It argued that the rule no longer did what it was meant to. Home teams, particularly in first legs, were holding back for fear of conceding an away goal.
UEFA also found that home advantage had been shrinking for decades. In its men’s club competitions, the home win rate fell from 61% in the mid-1970s to 47%, while the away win rate rose from 19% to 30%. Giving an away goal extra weight no longer made sense.
South America’s CONMEBOL has also dropped the rule, while Concacaf still uses it in its Champions Cup.
What CAF says
CAF has no plans to change. In April, CAF media officer Luxolo September said scrapping the rule was not on the table. He said CAF reviews its competition regulations every year and would announce any formal discussion.
He spoke after the rule decided a Confederation Cup semi-final. USM Alger reached the final after drawing 0-0 at home and 1-1 away against Olympique Safi, and Safi goalkeeper Youssef El Motie called the rule unfair. USM Alger went on to beat Zamalek on penalties in the final.
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The case for keeping it
Supporters of the rule argue that African football is different. Teams travel long distances, often between climates, and home sides can rely on heat, altitude, unfamiliar pitches and hostile crowds.
In those conditions, they argue, scoring away is a bigger achievement and deserves a reward. They also say it encourages visiting teams to attack rather than sit back.
For now, the rule stays. As Sundowns found out, it can end a title defence in one goal.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
