Mamelodi Sundowns have been crowned African champions for the second time in their history after holding Morocco's AS FAR Rabat to a 1-1 draw in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final on Sunday, sealing a 2-1 aggregate victory. The South African club, based in the Pretoria township of Mamelodi and nicknamed "the Brazilians," last lifted the continent's premier club trophy in 2016. Their triumph on Sunday, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, came under the guidance of Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso.
Sundowns had travelled to Morocco with a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Tshwane. AS FAR — a Moroccan club backed by the Royal Armed Forces, earning them the nickname "the Soldiers" — came out pressing high and won a VAR-reviewed penalty when Sundowns defender Divine Lunga fouled Reda Slim. Captain Mohamed Hrimat converted to level the tie on aggregate. However, Sundowns responded almost immediately before half-time: Teboho Mokoena controlled a lay-off from Brayan León and Tashreeq Matthews and smashed an unstoppable half-volley off the crossbar to make it 1-1 on the night and restore Sundowns' aggregate advantage with a crucial away goal.
The second half was tense and disciplined, with Sundowns sitting deep to protect their lead. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was at fault when he spilled a shot, gifting the hosts a second VAR-awarded penalty in the 77th minute. But Williams redeemed himself by diving to his right and pushing away Hrimat's kick — a save that effectively ended AS FAR's hopes. The Moroccan side pushed hard in the final quarter-hour but could not find a second goal, and the final whistle confirmed Sundowns as African champions.
The result carries particular significance because Sundowns were runners-up in last year's final, losing to Egypt's Pyramids FC. Their victory this time ends a decade-long wait for a second continental crown and cements their status as one of Africa's most powerful clubs. AS FAR, meanwhile, had been a surprise finalist, and their campaign demonstrated the growing depth of Moroccan club football. For Sundowns and South African football more broadly, the triumph represents a landmark moment on the continental stage.