Sundowns Secure Slim 1-0 Advantage Heading into CAF Champions League Final Second Leg
Pretoria — Mamelodi Sundowns notched a crucial 1-0 win against Morocco’s AS FAR in the first leg of the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, positioning the South African club favorably to secure a second continental title.
(Source: @ourAfricanFooty)
Aubrey Modiba’s free-kick in the 37th minute made all the difference in a match where Sundowns had the upper hand in possession and generated several opportunities but couldn’t extend their lead against a sturdy and determined AS FAR team.
The Brazilian’s expertly taken set-piece curled perfectly, catching the goalkeeper off-guard and sending the home fans into a frenzy.
(Source: x.com)
The home team dominated significant stretches of the match, particularly in the first half, with Teboho Mokoena and others orchestrating play from the midfield.
Sundowns, who last lifted the trophy in 2016, have reached the final for the second consecutive season after defeating Espérance de Tunis in the semi-finals.
Their domestic season has seen them fall behind rivals Orlando Pirates in the PSL, increasing the urgency for continental success this year.
(Source: reuters.com)
AS FAR, finishing as runners-up in their group and showing impressive form leading up to the final, will be optimistic about their chances in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on 24 May 2026.
The Moroccan side has drawn twice with Sundowns in last season’s group stage, showing they are more than capable of overturning the deficit.
(Source: cafonline.com)
The second leg promises to be thrilling, with the away goals rule no longer in effect after the group stage—implying that extra time and penalties could be necessary to determine the champion if the aggregate score is level.
A record $6 million prize awaits the victorious team.
(Source: youtube.com)
Disclaimer: This article was compiled using AI tool Grok on X and may contain inaccuracies.