CAF Champions League: AS FAR final will be no walk in the park – Paulo Duarte warns Sundowns

Guinea national team coach Paulo Duarte has cautioned Mamelodi Sundowns that their CAF Champions League final against Morocco’s FAR Rabat will be anything but straightforward, despite the South African champions’ experience and depth.

The two-legged final is scheduled for May, although the date for the first leg in South Africa is yet to be confirmed.

Sundowns return to the continental final stage for a second consecutive season, still nursing the disappointment of last year’s defeat to Pyramids FC in the 2024/25 final.

FAR Rabat, meanwhile, are back in a major African final for the first time since their triumph in the 2005/06 CAF Confederation Cup, bringing renewed ambition and momentum into the showdown.

The clash also carries a Portuguese managerial subplot, with Miguel Cardoso and Alexandre Santos set to go head-to-head in a high-stakes tactical battle.

Speaking to El Botola, Duarte stressed that Sundowns should not expect an easy path to glory.

“Mamelodi Sundowns, with all their experience, will face AS FAR Rabat, who have had an exceptional run,” he said.

“This is the strength of the military team – they will approach this opportunity as if it were the last in their lives.

“It will not be easy for Sundowns, even with their experience and high-quality squad.

“But I believe AS FAR Rabat will have their say in this African competition,” Paulo added.