شنطة مفك كهربائي
وفر 20%! اشترِ شنطة مفك كهربائي بسعر 225 د.ل فقط في ليبيا. متوفر حالياً، الدفع ع
🛒 تسوق الآنMamelodi Sundowns Clinch Second CAF Champions League Title After Thrilling Final Against FAR Rabat
Mamelodi Sundowns Clinch Second CAF Champions League Title After Thrilling Final Against FAR Rabat
A Historic Night in Rabat: Sundowns Hold Their Nerve
Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa lifted the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League trophy for the second time in their history on Sunday, May 24, 2026, after a tense 1-1 draw against AS FAR Rabat at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco. The result sealed a 2-1 aggregate victory, adding to their 1-0 first-leg win in Pretoria the previous week. In front of 60,000 passionate Moroccan fans, Sundowns showed the composure and defensive discipline of champions to withstand relentless pressure and secure continental glory.
How the Final Unfolded: Drama, Penalties, and a Moment of Brilliance
The second leg was a masterclass in high-stakes football. FAR Rabat entered the match needing to overturn a one-goal deficit and started with ferocious intensity, dominating possession and flooding the Sundowns box with crosses. The Moroccan side's pressure paid off in the 40th minute when referee Omar Artan, after consulting VAR, awarded a penalty for a challenge by Divine Lunga on Reda Slim. Captain Mohamed Hrimat stepped up and calmly converted to level the aggregate score at 1-1.
But Sundowns delivered a devastating blow in first-half stoppage time. Brayan Leon whipped in a cross, Tashreeq Matthews helped it into the path of Teboho Mokoena, and the midfielder struck a stunning first-time effort off the underside of the crossbar. The goal restored Sundowns' aggregate lead and proved to be the decisive moment of the entire final. In the second half, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams became the hero, saving Hrimat's second penalty in the 74th minute after another VAR review, denying FAR Rabat a lifeline and preserving the South African side's slender advantage.
Key Facts: By the Numbers
- Aggregate score: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 AS FAR Rabat (1-0 first leg, 1-1 second leg)
- Second-leg scorers: Mohamed Hrimat 40' (pen) / Teboho Mokoena 45+7'
- Attendance: 60,000 at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
- First-leg attendance: 51,000 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
- Penalties: Hrimat scored one (40') and missed one (74', saved by Williams)
- Sundowns' Champions League history: Second title, having previously reached finals in 2001, 2016, and 2025
- Coach Miguel Cardoso won his first CAF Champions League title after previous continental final disappointments
Coach Cardoso: "This Team Has No Limits"
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso praised his squad's resilience after the final whistle. The Portuguese tactician watched his team absorb enormous pressure in the second half before holding on for glory. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, whose penalty save in the 74th minute proved decisive, was named alongside Mokoena as standout performers. The victory also secures Sundowns' qualification for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 and the FIFA Club World Cup 2029.
What This Means for North African and Libyan Football
The final highlighted the growing strength of North African clubs on the continental stage. AS FAR Rabat pushed Sundowns to the limit and demonstrated that African football is increasingly competitive. For Libyan football, the result carries significance: the Libyan Football Federation recently confirmed that the 2025-26 Libyan Premier League champions will enter the CAF Champions League. As clubs like Al Ahly Tripoli and Al Ittihad prepare for future continental campaigns, the performances of North African rivals serve as both inspiration and a benchmark for Libya's passionate football fans.
Looking Ahead: Sundowns Eye Global Stage
Mamelodi Sundowns' triumph marks a new chapter for South African football and confirms the club's status as one of Africa's elite. With qualification secured for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup later this year, the Tshwane-based club now has the opportunity to test themselves against the best from every continent. For FAR Rabat, the defeat is painful but the journey to the final signals a club on the rise. As the 2025-26 CAF Champions League season closes, African football fans can look forward to another thrilling cycle — and for Libyan clubs, the dream of continental glory is closer than ever.
— LibyaPress / Sports Desk
