Story perspectives

Mamelodi Sundowns Win CAF Champions League, Earn $6 M

5/26/2026

Summary

Sundowns Capture Title

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, beating AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate after entering the second leg with a 1-0 advantage and drawing 1-1 in Rabat.
The victory awarded Sundowns a record USD 6 million first-prize payout.
Sundowns also qualified for the 2026 CAF Super Cup and the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and will face USM Alger, the 2026 CAF Confederation Cup winners, in the Super Cup.

Summary

Onyango Expelled

Denis Onyango was expelled after retaliating to a fan-thrown bottle, leaving Sundowns without a substitute goalkeeper for the second half.
Miguel Cardoso introduced Marcelo Allende, replacing Kutlwano Letkhaku at halftime and said the victory was deserved after finals losses with Esperance in 2024 and Pyramids in 2025.
AS FAR coach Alexandre Santos called his side the season’s second-best team while spectators at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium hurled bottles, prompting heightened security.

Summary

Sundowns Lose

The win guarantees at least $9.5 million from the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Experts say the title ends North African dominance, shifting power to sub-Saharan clubs.
Coach Miguel Cardoso urged the Premier Soccer League to reform its schedule for development.
Sundowns lost the Premiership after Orlando Pirates beat Orbit College 2-0.
A chartered flight to Morocco was delayed because the landing permit was not issued.

History

Historical Context

In December 1995 Orlando Pirates became the first South African club to win the African Cup of Champions Clubs, taking a 3–2 aggregate victory and a $1 million CAF prize three years after South Africa rejoined international football. Sundowns echoed that breakthrough by winning the 2026 Champions League over AS FAR, earning $6 million and an Intercontinental Cup spot.

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Sundowns Capture Title

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, beating AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate after entering the second leg with a 1-0 advantage and drawing 1-1 in Rabat.
The victory awarded Sundowns a record USD 6 million first-prize payout.
Sundowns also qualified for the 2026 CAF Super Cup and the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and will face USM Alger, the 2026 CAF Confederation Cup winners, in the Super Cup.

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