Mamelodi Sundowns edge FAR Rabat to lift second CAF Champions League title

South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns have reclaimed their place at the summit of African football after securing the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League title with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against FAR Rabat in the second leg of the final in Morocco.

Having won the first leg 1-0 in South Africa, Sundowns completed a 2-1 aggregate triumph to lift the prestigious continental crown for the second time in the club’s history — their first coming back in 2016.

The Brazilians showed resilience, composure and championship mentality under immense pressure in Rabat, surviving an early scare before delivering the crucial away goal that ultimately crushed the Moroccan side’s hopes.

FAR Rabat started the match aggressively in front of their passionate home supporters and were rewarded in the 40th minute when Mohamed Rabie Hrimat calmly converted from the penalty spot to level the tie on aggregate.

The goal ignited the stadium and briefly shifted momentum toward the Moroccan outfit, who looked determined to complete a comeback against the South African champions.

However, Sundowns responded. Just before halftime, midfield general Teboho Mokoena produced the decisive moment of the evening, finding the equaliser that stunned the home crowd and restored Sundowns’ aggregate advantage.

Mokoena’s crucial strike not only silenced FAR Rabat supporters but also forced the hosts to score twice more in the second half — a task that ultimately proved impossible against Sundowns’ disciplined defensive structure.

The second half saw the South African side manage the game expertly, frustrating FAR Rabat with their possession-based approach, tactical organisation, and maturity on the ball.

When the final whistle sounded, scenes of jubilation erupted among the Sundowns players, technical staff and traveling supporters as the club celebrated another historic milestone.

The triumph further cements Sundowns’ status as one of Africa’s modern football powerhouses. Since their maiden CAF Champions League success in 2016, the Pretoria-based side have consistently dominated domestically while growing into a feared force on the continent.

Winning the trophy again after nearly a decade will undoubtedly be viewed as confirmation of the club’s sustained excellence and long-term project.

For many of the players, the victory represents redemption after several painful near-misses in previous campaigns where Sundowns were tipped among the favourites but fell short in the knockout stages.

Teboho Mokoena emerged as one of the heroes of the final, delivering when it mattered most with a priceless away goal on one of the biggest nights in the club’s history.

The victory also adds another glorious chapter to South African football, with Sundowns once again carrying the nation’s flag proudly on the continental stage.

Having won the Champions League, the South African giants will lock horns with USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup.