FAR Rabat are on the brink of history as they prepare to face Mamelodi Sundowns in the two-legged final of the CAF Champions League, with the Moroccan giants chasing a long-awaited return to continental glory, Cafone reports.

For AS FAR, the occasion goes far beyond another final appearance. It marks the culmination of a 41-year wait since their only triumph in 1985, when they became the first Moroccan club to win Africa’s premier club competition. Next week’s first leg in Pretoria will set the tone before the decisive return encounter in Rabat on May 24, where a new chapter could be written in front of their home supporters.

According to Cafone, the stakes are immense: a record $6 million prize and qualification for global club competitions, elevating the fixture from a continental showdown to one of the most consequential matches in the club’s history.

A revival decades in the making

Cafone highlights that FAR Rabat’s resurgence this season represents a significant shift in Moroccan football’s continental narrative. While clubs like Wydad Casablanca and Raja Casablanca have dominated African competitions in recent years, FAR had largely remained on the periphery—until now.

Their path to the final has been built on resilience and discipline. In a tense semi-final, they edged RS Berkane 2-1 on aggregate, winning the first leg 2-0 in Rabat before surviving a 1-0 defeat away.

Cafone notes that the second leg in Berkane tested FAR’s composure, with goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti emerging as a key figure, producing crucial saves under late pressure to preserve their aggregate lead. In attack, players such as Ahmed Hammoudan, Mohamed Hrimat and Reda Slim have provided the cutting edge.

Clash of styles and experience

Cafone contrasts FAR’s structured, defensively disciplined approach with the fluid attacking style of Sundowns, one of Africa’s most consistent sides in recent years. The South African champions booked their place in the final with a composed 2-0 aggregate victory over Espérance de Tunis, powered by decisive contributions from Colombian forward Brayan León.

While Sundowns bring greater recent continental pedigree, Cafone points out that FAR can draw confidence from Morocco’s broader dominance in African football over the past decade. Their presence in the final not only sustains that trend but also offers a chance to restore their own standing among the continent’s elite.

Home advantage and historic stakes

The structure of the final could yet favour FAR Rabat. Hosting the second leg at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex provides a potentially decisive advantage—particularly if they can secure a positive result in Pretoria.

Under coach Alexandre Santos, Cafone observes, FAR have developed into a side capable of absorbing pressure and managing high-stakes encounters. That tactical discipline will be critical against a Sundowns team known for its flexibility and attacking depth.

Beyond tactics, however, the final carries deeper symbolism. For Sundowns, it is an opportunity to reinforce their modern dominance with another continental title. For FAR Rabat, as Cafone emphasises, it is something more profound—a chance to reconnect with a golden past and redefine their future.

After four decades in the shadows, the Moroccan giants now stand one step away from reclaiming their place at the summit of African club football.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially rescheduled the first leg of the 2025–26 CAF Champions League final, offering both finalists greater clarity as they prepare for Africa’s biggest club fixture.

The opening leg between Morocco’s AS FAR and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will now take place on Sunday, May 17, instead of the initially fixed Friday, May 15. The return leg remains unchanged and is set for Sunday, May 24, in Rabat.

The first leg will be staged at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, while the decisive return fixture will be held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat, where AS FAR will look to capitalise on home support.

The adjustment follows a formal request by Mamelodi Sundowns, who sought a 48-hour postponement to address logistical concerns, including attendance, scheduling, and preferred kick-off conditions. The South African side pushed for a weekend fixture to maximise fan turnout and enhance the matchday atmosphere for a continental final—an appeal CAF has now granted.

Although the exact kick-off time is yet to be confirmed, the revised schedule gives Sundowns the Sunday slot they desired, potentially boosting crowd presence in Pretoria.

For AS FAR, the final presents a historic opportunity to secure only their second CAF Champions League title—and their first since 1985, when they became the first Moroccan club to lift Africa’s premier club trophy. Their journey to the final included a hard-fought semi-final victory over RS Berkane, fueling optimism in Rabat that continental glory is within reach.

The Moroccan side could benefit significantly from hosting the second leg, especially if they can secure a favourable result away in Pretoria.

On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns are targeting a second continental crown, having previously won the title in 2016. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s most consistent clubs in recent years, the Pretoria-based side will aim to take advantage of the home leg before heading to Morocco.

Moroccan clubs have asserted strong dominance in African competitions over the past decade, with sides such as Wydad Casablanca, Raja Casablanca, RS Berkane, and now AS FAR regularly reaching the latter stages of continental tournaments, underscoring the country’s growing influence on the African football landscape.

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Mamelodi Sundowns’ progress to the CAF Champions League 2025/26 final is the 11th time that a South African team will compete in the decider for a continental club title, and their fourth final in Africa’s elite competition.

Sundowns will face Moroccan side AS FAR over two legs for the CAF Champions League title, having lost the decider last year to Pyramids of Egypt. Here is a look back at their three previous final appearances.

2001 vs Al Ahly (Egypt) 1-1 (h); 0-3 (a)
The first leg at Loftus Versfeld ended in a 1-1 draw after Zambian midfielder Gift Kampamba scored in the first half, only for Said Abdelhafiz to equalise 13 minutes into the second half.

The second leg finished 3-0 to Ahly, but it was not a reflection of the game, as Sundowns, who could have won in Cairo, were warmly applauded off the pitch at the end by the Egyptian fans for their efforts.

Ted Dumitru’s team created a host of chances, but it was on the counter that Ahly were devastatingly effective, and Khaled Bebo scored a hat-trick for the Egyptian giants.

2016 vs Zamalek (Egypt) 3-0 (h); 0-1 (a)
Twenty-one years after a South African club won the continent’s top club prize when Orlando Pirates lifted the CAF Champions Cup, Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 in the home leg of the 2016 decider and then largely kept them at bay in the return in Alexandria to earn a star on their jersey.

Not since 2010, when TP Mazembe Englebert beat Esperance of Tunisia 5-0, had a club built such an emphatic final first-leg lead, as goals from Liberian international Anthony Laffor and Tebogo Langerman gave them a 2-0 half-time advantage, and one more immediately after the break extended the lead.

In the return leg, Pitso Mosimane’s men held out after being under siege for almost 90 minutes to be crowned African champions.

2024/25 vs Pyramids (Egypt) 1-1 (h); 1-2 (a)
Sundowns did not convert their chances at home in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld and would end up on the losing side.

They led through Lucas Ribeiro’s 54th-minute effort but gave up an equaliser in stoppage time to a diving back-post header from Walid El Karti.

In the return at the Cairo Air Defence Stadium, Sundowns were 2-0 down to goals from Fiston Mayele and Ahmed Samy.

Iqraam Rayners pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining with a volleyed effort, but Miguel Cardoso’s side could not find an equaliser, which would have seen them snatch the title on away goals.

-Cafonline

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