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.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H