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🛒 تسوق الآنMamelodi Sundowns Claim Second CAF Champions League Title After Thrilling Final Against AS FAR
Mamelodi Sundowns Claim Second CAF Champions League Title After Thrilling Final Against AS FAR
South African Giants Edge Moroccan Side 2-1 on Aggregate
Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa clinched their second-ever CAF Champions League title on May 24, 2026, holding AS FAR of Morocco to a 1-1 draw in the second leg at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The victory gave Sundowns a 2-1 aggregate win after a tense two-legged final. The win cements Sundowns' status among Africa's football elite and earns them a spot in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
The first leg, played on May 17 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, saw Sundowns edge AS FAR 1-0 in front of 51,000 supporters. The return leg in Rabat drew 60,000 fans, with AS FAR pushing hard for the equalizer. Despite relentless pressure, Sundowns' defense held firm, and a crucial away goal sealed the continental crown.
Tournament by the Numbers: 62 Teams, 118 Goals
The 2025–26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League was the 62nd edition of Africa's premier club competition. A total of 62 teams from 50 African associations entered the tournament, competing across qualifying rounds, a group stage, and a knockout phase spanning from September 2025 to May 2026. The group stage produced 91 goals across 48 matches, with Egypt's Pyramids FC dominating Group A, winning 5 of 6 matches and finishing with 16 points. The knockout stage added 27 goals across 14 matches, with total attendance reaching 401,000.
Key Facts: The Road to the Title
- Champion: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) — 2nd title in club history
- Runner-up: AS FAR (Morocco) — first final appearance since 1985
- Aggregate Score: Sundowns 2–1 AS FAR (1-0 home, 1-1 away)
- Top Scorer: Trézéguet (Egypt) with 6 goals across the tournament
- Quarter-final Upset: Espérance de Tunis knocked out Al Ahly 4-2 on aggregate
- Semi-final: Sundowns defeated Espérance de Tunis 2-0 on aggregate
- Qualification Prize: Sundowns earn spots in 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and 2029 FIFA Club World Cup
AS FAR's Historic Run Ends in Heartbreak
For AS FAR, the final represented a remarkable journey. The Rabat-based club had not reached a continental final since 1985. They navigated past defending champions Pyramids FC in the quarter-finals with a 3-2 aggregate victory, then defeated RS Berkane 2-1 in the semi-finals. Midfielder Youness El Kaabi was instrumental throughout. "We gave everything for this city, for these fans," said El Kaabi after the final whistle. "The pain is real, but so is the pride. We showed that Moroccan football belongs at the highest level."
What This Means for Libyan Football
The conclusion of the 2025–26 CAF Champions League carries direct implications for Libyan clubs. The Libyan Football Federation announced on May 24, 2026, new criteria for how domestic clubs will qualify for the 2026–2027 CAF competitions. If Libya is allocated two slots, the Libyan Premier League champions will enter the Champions League while the Libyan Cup winners compete in the Confederation Cup. If the same team wins both, the league runners-up take the Champions League spot. This clarity is crucial for Libyan clubs like Al Ahly Benghazi, Al Ittihad Tripoli, and Al Nasr Benghazi, who are all vying for continental qualification.
Sundowns Join Africa's Elite
With this victory, Mamelodi Sundowns join an exclusive group of clubs to have won the CAF Champions League more than once. Their first title came in 2016, and after falling short in last year's final against Pyramids FC, the Pretoria-based club has now reclaimed continental supremacy. The 2025–26 season will be remembered as one of the most competitive in recent CAF Champions League history, with clubs from Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, Sudan, and Mali all making deep runs. As Sundowns prepare for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, African football continues to grow in quality and global appeal.
— LibyaPress / Sports Desk
