Ten years of waiting have finally come to an end after Mamelodi Sundowns claimed their second CAF Champions League title following a 1–1 draw against AS FAR in the second leg of the final played in Rabat, Morocco. Sundowns secured the championship with a 2–1 aggregate victory after winning the first leg 1–0 in Pretoria.
AS FAR opened the scoring through captain Mohamed Hrimat from the penalty spot in the first half, making the contest difficult for Sundowns. However, midfielder Teboho Mokoena emerged as the hero by scoring a crucial goal late in the first half to restore hope for the South African giants.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams also played a vital role after saving another penalty from Hrimat late in the match, ensuring Sundowns lifted the trophy for the first time since 2016.
The triumph erased the pain of several disappointing campaigns in which Sundowns repeatedly fell short in the latter stages of the competition. Since winning their first title in 2016 against Egypt’s Zamalek, the club has remained among Africa’s strongest sides but had failed to reclaim the crown for nearly a decade. Last season, they reached the final but lost 3–2 on aggregate to Egypt’s Pyramids FC.
Sundowns’ journey to this year’s title was impressive. They eliminated several strong opponents, including Esperance de Tunis in the semi-finals, while AS FAR reached the final after knocking out RS Berkane.
Head coach Miguel Cardoso also achieved a personal milestone by winning the competition for the first time after losing two previous CAF finals. The victory has also secured Sundowns a place in the Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
With this success, Mamelodi Sundowns join the list of Africa’s elite clubs that have won the CAF Champions League more than once, while also restoring South African football’s prestige on the continental stage. Their passionate supporters, known as “Masandawana,” now have every reason to celebrate after ten years of patience, heartbreak, and unwavering hope.
