Full Breakdown
Mamelodi Sundowns Secure Second CAF Champions League Crown
5/26/2026, 12:40:09 AM
The Final Showdown
On 24 May 2026, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 with Morocco’s AS FAR at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Teboho Mokoena’s first-half-time stoppage-time half-volley restored Sundowns’ aggregate lead after Mohamed Hrimat’s 40´ penalty gave the hosts a 1-0 lead on the night. Ronwen Williams saved Hrimat’s second spot-kick in the 74´ minute, preserving a 2-1 aggregate victory and a second continental title.
Road to the Final
Sundowns entered the second leg with a 1-0 advantage from the first-leg win in Pretoria (Loftus Versfeld) – a free-kick by Aubrey Modiba (source 1) or a strike by Modiba (source 2). The South Africans had lost the previous season’s final to Egypt’s Pyramids FC, a defeat that coach Miguel Cardoso cited as motivation for the 2026 triumph.
Key Players and Leadership
- Miguel Cardoso – Portuguese head coach, third CAF final appearance.
- Teboho Mokoena – Midfielder, scorer of the decisive away goal.
- Ronwen Williams – Goalkeeper, saved the decisive penalty.
- Aubrey Modiba – Winger, contributed to first-leg advantage.
- Divine Lunga – Defender whose foul led to the first-leg penalty.
- Mohamed Hrimat – AS FAR captain, converted the first-leg penalty.
- Alexandre Santos – AS FAR head coach.
Timeline of the Decisive Tie
- 17 May 2026 – First leg in Pretoria: Sundowns 1-0 AS FAR (Modiba free-kick).
- 24 May 2026 – Second leg, Rabat:
- 40´ – Hrimat penalty (1-0 on the night, 1-1 aggregate).
- 45+7´ – Mokoena’s half-volley (1-1, 2-1 aggregate).
- 74´ – Williams saves Hrimat’s second penalty.
- 90+8´ – Final whistle; Sundowns crowned champions.
Numbers and Stakes
- Aggregate score: 2-1 to Sundowns.
- Prize money: USD 6 million (record CAF award).
- Season workload: 50 matches (Cardoso, source 2).
- Historical note: First South African club to win a second CAF title; adds a second star to the club crest.
- Future competitions: Qualification for the 2026 CAF Super Cup (vs USM Alger), the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Significance for South African Football
The victory disrupts the long-standing North-African dominance of the competition and provides a financial boost that could reshape the Premier Soccer League’s competitive balance. It also secures a platform for South African clubs to showcase talent on global stages.
Official Statements
Coach Cardoso emphasized perseverance, noting that the team “knocked on the door every season” and finally “added the star to the jersey.” He also warned that “if South Africa wants to win the Champions League again, it must change some dynamics.” AS FAR coach Santos praised his side as “the second-best team this season” but acknowledged the loss. Goalkeeper Williams described the win as “fully deserved” after a season of near-misses.
Criticism of Domestic Scheduling
Cardoso publicly criticised the PSL leadership, arguing that an overloaded schedule – including a 50-match season and a delayed charter flight – contributed to injuries to key players such as Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas.
On-the-Ground Atmosphere
The Rabat final featured a hostile crowd, VAR-reviewed penalties, and isolated incidents of fans throwing objects onto the pitch. Despite the pressure, Sundowns maintained composure, with Williams’ penalty save becoming a focal point of the match narrative.
Conflicting Details
Only Cardoso’s interview (source 2) mentions the 50-match season; other reports omit this figure. Additionally, the first-leg scorer is described as a “free-kick” by Modiba (source 1) versus a “strike” by Modiba (source 2). Both accounts agree on the 1-0 margin.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was time; last year I saw tears in my players, and a few of them knew we promised each other that we would have tears again, but it will be from joy and not from sadness,” — Miguel Cardoso, coach
- “After the first penalty, I still felt that at any moment we could score,” — Miguel Cardoso, coach
- “It was fully deserved, what this team has been through, knocking on the door every season. Finally the door opened for us and we get to add the star to the jersey,” — Ronwen Williams, goalkeeper
- “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,” — Alexandre Santos, AS FAR coach
- “It’s my third (TotalEnergies CAF Champions League) final in a row, and it's the first time I go into the second leg with a goal advantage, and all three of them were played away,” — Miguel Cardoso, coach
- “I also believe that it is important if SA wants again soon or in the future to win the Champions League, it has to change some dynamics,” — Miguel Cardoso, coach
What Lies Ahead
Sundowns will face USM Alger in the 2026 CAF Super Cup, compete in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup later that year, and prepare for the expanded 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, where they will represent Africa against champions from the other confederations.
