South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns weathered an intense atmosphere in Morocco to clinch the 2025/26 CAF Champions League title, overcoming AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate after a tense 1-1 draw in the return leg at the packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Roared on by a deafening sea of home supporters, AS FAR stormed into the contest with purpose and aggression, pinning Sundowns deep inside their own half during the opening exchanges. The Moroccan outfit fashioned the clearer opportunities early on, but the visitors’ disciplined defensive structure and composure under pressure kept the game level.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 37th minute after a lengthy VAR review awarded the hosts a penalty. Captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat stepped up confidently and sent goalkeeper Ronwen Williams the wrong way to ignite the stadium.
🏆 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘 🏆
A proud showing from The Brazilians on the biggest stage. Bafana Ba Style are your African Champions! 👆🔥
AS FAR (40′ Hrimat) 1️⃣ (1) ➖ (2) 1️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (45+7′ Mokoena)#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL… pic.twitter.com/EKK48oNSGZ
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 24, 2026
With the Rabat crowd sensing momentum shifting firmly in their favour, Sundowns responded in dramatic fashion moments before halftime. Deep into seven minutes of added time, Teboho Mokoena reacted quickest inside the box and smashed home a close-range volley to restore parity on the night and hand the South Africans a crucial aggregate advantage.
The equaliser visibly frustrated sections of the home support. As Sundowns players celebrated near the corner flag, bottles and objects rained toward them from the stands in ugly scenes.
Among the celebrating players was Ugandan veteran Denis Onyango, who reacted by throwing one of the bottles back toward the crowd. The experienced goalkeeper was shown a red card during the halftime interval, leaving Sundowns without a reserve goalkeeper for the remainder of the final.
Despite the drama, the second half showcased the mental resilience that has defined Sundowns’ continental campaign. AS FAR continued to dominate possession and push numbers forward, while the visitors looked increasingly dangerous on swift transitions and counterattacks.
Good morning from the African champions ⭐⭐
The second star is home and the feeling is still unreal 👆🔥#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #AreyengMasandawanaUntilItsDone pic.twitter.com/uUgSgJHGTh
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 25, 2026
The defining moment of the contest came with 14 minutes remaining when Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan pointed to the spot for a second AS FAR penalty following another VAR intervention.
Once again Hrimat assumed responsibility, but this time Williams emerged as the hero. Diving sharply to his left, the Sundowns captain denied the effort before the rebound sailed away for a corner, stunning the previously electric stadium into near silence.
That save drained belief from the hosts and their supporters alike. Thousands of frustrated fans began streaming toward the exits long before the final whistle, while Sundowns expertly managed the closing stages with maturity and control.
When the referee finally brought the contest to an end, jubilation erupted among the small pocket of travelling supporters dressed in yellow high in the stands. On the pitch, Sundowns players collapsed in celebration after securing the club’s second CAF Champions League crown since their maiden triumph in 2016.
⭐ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 ⭐
Masandawana conquer the continent to claim our second #TotalEnergiesCAFCL title! 🏆
Be proud Masandawana! The journey is complete! 🌍#Sundowns #AreyengMasandawanaUntilItsDone pic.twitter.com/pg67gAn2Vy
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 24, 2026
Their continental conquest also came with a massive financial reward, as Sundowns pocketed USD 6 million in prize money for winning Africa’s premier club competition.
Remarkably, only two members of the victorious 2016 squad, club captain Themba Zwane and Onyango, remain part of the team that has now etched another golden chapter into the club’s history.
