The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the CAF Champions League 2025/26 campaign when Morocco’s AS FAR host South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the second leg of this season’s decider in Rabat on Sunday, 24 May.
Kick-off is set for 21:00 (SA time).
Record prize money is on offer and the prestige of being named the continent’s best club.
Slender lead
With Mamelodi Sundowns carrying a slender 1-0 advantage from last weekend’s first leg in Pretoria, it is everything to play for at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, with a record $6 million (R101 million) first prize and a place in global competitions all hanging in the balance.
The losers will walk away $4 million (R67 million) richer.
The match is expected to be watched in over 100 territories around the world as the appetite for African football continues to grow.
Beyond lifting Africa’s biggest club prize, the champions will also secure qualification for three major international competitions.
Victory in Rabat would book a place in the CAF Super Cup 2026 against USM Alger, winners of the CAF Confederation Cup.
It will also earn entry into the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 along with the other champions of FIFA’s Confederations for this season, and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Mamelodi Sundowns edged the opening encounter at Loftus Versfeld thanks to Aubrey Modiba’s superb free-kick, but the South African side were left ruing missed chances that could have put them firmly in control of the tie.
AS FAR, meanwhile, remain within touching distance and will feel a one-goal deficit leaves them with every chance of overturning the result on home soil.
For Mamelodi Sundowns, the final presents the opportunity to claim a second African crown after their triumph in 2016 and erase the pain of defeat in last season’s final against Egypt’s Pyramids FC.
Coach Miguel Cardoso’s side have shown resilience and maturity throughout the campaign, but will know that navigating a hostile atmosphere in Rabat may represent their toughest challenge yet.
“It’s my third (CAF Champions League) final in a row, and it’s the first time I go into the second leg with a goal advantage, and all three of them were played away,” Cardoso said.
“First match I drew for Esperance with Al Ahly. Second one we drew 1-1 with Pyramids FC, and this time we have the privilege to be one goal ahead, but let’s see if it’s enough or not. We will fight to make it enough,” Cardoso said.
Formidable home record
AS FAR, by contrast, are chasing a first Champions League title since 1985 and will lean heavily on a formidable home record in continental competition.
Backed by a packed stadium, the Moroccan side believe they have both the quality and momentum to mount a comeback.
“It’s very difficult when Mamelodi Sundowns get space, they are one of the best teams of this continent,” AS FAR coach Alexandre Santos said.
“We kept the (first leg) result to 1-0, and in the end the most important thing is we play at home and fight until the end, that’s our intention.”
Prediction
AS FAR 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
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