Alexandre Santos hails Mamelodi Sundowns’ quality after CAF Champions League final heartbreak

AS FAR Rabat head coach Alexandre Santos has acknowledged the quality of Mamelodi Sundowns following his side’s defeat in the CAF Champions League final, admitting the South African giants proved why they remain among Africa’s elite clubs.

The Moroccan side fell short in their pursuit of a second continental crown, suffering a 2-1 aggregate loss to Sundowns in the 2025/26 final. AS FAR were beaten 1-0 in the first leg in Tshwane before settling for a 1-1 draw in Sunday’s return leg in Rabat.

The defeat denied AS FAR a first Champions League title since their historic triumph in 1985, while Sundowns celebrated their second continental success in a decade.

Despite the disappointment, Santos praised his players for their determination and competitive display against a highly-rated Sundowns outfit.

“We are the second best team this season in the Champions League. Of course it is not enough for us and our fans, but I think we did very well against a very strong team,” Santos said, as quoted by CAFOnline.com.

The Portuguese coach felt his team created enough opportunities to trouble the Brazilians but admitted they were ultimately unable to make their chances count.

“We pushed them and created a lot of opportunities. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal, but we remained in character and tried to score. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be,” he added.

Santos also paid tribute to Sundowns for their composure and quality across the two-legged final, while expressing pride in the effort shown by his squad throughout the campaign.

“Unlucky for the club and congratulations to Sundowns. They showed they are a good team, but we also stood our ground in a strong competition like the Champions League,” he said.

“I am proud of these players and our supporters. They can be proud of the work put in by this team in a very tough competition.”

Although the result ended AS FAR’s dream of continental glory, Santos’ remarks reflected a sense of belief that the Moroccan giants remain on an upward trajectory after reaching the final and competing strongly against one of Africa’s most formidable teams.