CAF Champions League
Mamelodi Sundowns’ history in CAF Champions League finals
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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By Kunle Solaja
Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR have both raised concerns over the scheduling of the first leg of the 2026 CAF Champions League final, prompting the Confederation of African Football to review the match calendar.
The opening fixture is currently slated for Friday, May 15, in Pretoria, but South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns have formally requested a postponement by two days. The club is proposing a new date of Sunday, May 17, with a 3:00 p.m. kickoff at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Sundowns’ request is largely driven by attendance considerations. Club officials are understood to be concerned that a Friday evening fixture could limit crowd turnout due to work commitments and travel constraints for supporters. A weekend afternoon match, they believe, would create a fuller stadium and a more vibrant atmosphere befitting a continental final.
There is also a logistical factor influencing the request. Loftus Versfeld is scheduled to host a rugby match involving the Blue Bulls on Saturday, making it impractical to shift the game by just one day and strengthening Sundowns’ preference for a Sunday fixture.
However, their opponents, Morocco’s AS FAR, are said to have their own reservations—particularly regarding the proposed kickoff time. The North African side are reportedly wary of a 3:00 p.m. start in Pretoria, where warmer afternoon temperatures could present challenging playing conditions.
AS FAR are believed to view an early-afternoon kickoff as potentially advantageous to the hosts, who are more accustomed to the local climate. With the stakes of a Champions League final so high, even marginal factors such as weather and match timing are being carefully scrutinised.
While discussions continue over the first leg, the return fixture remains scheduled for May 24 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
CAF is now studying the situation, weighing multiple considerations before making a final decision. These include sporting fairness, broadcast commitments, stadium logistics, travel arrangements and security planning.
Beyond continental glory, the outcome of the final carries significant global implications. The winners will secure places in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 CAF Super Cup.
Both finalists have previously lifted Africa’s most prestigious club trophy. AS FAR claimed their title in 1985, while Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned champions in 2016
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CAF Champions League
Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces to meet Sundowns in African Champions League final
Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces advanced to the African Champions League final despite a 1-0 loss in Saturday’s second leg against compatriots Renaissance Berkane.
The military team won 2-1 on aggregate and will take on Mamelodi Sundowns in the two-legged final next month after the South African side secured a 2-0 aggregate victory over Tunisia’s Esperance earlier on Saturday.
Royal Armed Forces were 2-0 winners in the first leg in Rabat last week and held out in the return until conceding a penalty in the 57th minute, which Yassine Labhiri converted.
Berkane, in their debut Champions League campaign, failed to score a second goal to take the tie to a penalty shootout.
Sundowns will host the first leg of the final on May 15 , with the return in Rabat seven days later.
Royal Armed Forces won Africa’s top club competition in 1985 but have not reached the final since.
-Reuters
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Colombian-born striker Brayan Leon saw his penalty saved but tucked away the rebound on Saturday to put South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns through to the African Champions League final at the expense of Esperance of Tunisia.
Leon had his 35th-minute spot kick parried by visiting goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said but snapped up the rebound to ensure a 1-0 home win at Loftus Versfeld.
Leon had scored the only goal of last Sunday’s first leg in Tunis and the 2-0 aggregate triumph means Sundowns are through to the final for a second successive season.
They will take on Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces. Sundowns, runners-up last season, were awarded the penalty after a throw-in back to Ben Said caught the goalkeeper napping as he tried to clear, with Leon sprinting down on him and getting a touch to the ball before the keeper made contact with him as he attempted to kick the ball clear.
Esperance came close to an equaliser minutes before halftime when an effort off the knee of French striker Florin Danho struck the Sundowns’ crossbar.
-Reuters
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