Mamelodi Sundowns crowned 2025-26 CAF Champions League champions (Photos)

Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winners for the second time in their history after battling to a 1-1 draw against FAR Rabat in the second leg of the final at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday night.

The South African champions secured a 2-1 aggregate victory, having taken a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Pretoria last week.

The triumph marks Sundowns’ second continental crown after their maiden success in 2016 and finally delivers the prestigious title to head coach Miguel Cardoso after previous heartbreaks in African club competitions.

Backed by a passionate home crowd in Rabat, FAR Rabat began the contest with intensity and urgency, knowing they needed to overturn the first-leg deficit.

The Moroccan side controlled possession for long periods during the opening half and continuously searched for openings through crosses and quick attacking combinations.

Despite the pressure, Sundowns remained compact and disciplined defensively. Khuliso Mudau, Keanu Cupido, Ndamane and Divine Lunga held their shape superbly, frustrating the hosts and limiting them to few clear opportunities in open play.

FAR Rabat captain Mohamed Hrimat threatened early when he connected with a dangerous cross inside the box, but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Founded in 1970, Sundowns slowly grew into the match and nearly struck midway through the first half when Tashreeq Matthews tried his luck from distance, narrowly missing the target.

The breakthrough arrived 10 minutes before half-time following a VAR review.

Referee intervention confirmed a foul by Divine Lunga on Reda Slim inside the penalty area, giving FAR Rabat a golden chance to level the tie.

Hrimat stepped forward confidently and converted from the spot in the 40th minute to put the Moroccan side ahead on the night and level the aggregate score at 1-1.

However, Sundowns responded in dramatic fashion just before the break.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Brayan Leon delivered a dangerous cross into the area, Matthews intelligently redirected the ball into the path of Teboho Mokoena, who unleashed a powerful first-time strike off the underside of the crossbar to restore Sundowns’ aggregate lead.

Cardoso reacted tactically at the start of the second half, introducing Marcelo Allende to strengthen the midfield as FAR Rabat intensified their pressure.

The hosts continued pushing forward and were handed another major opportunity in the 74th minute after another VAR review ruled that goalkeeper Ronwen Williams had fouled Youssef El Fahli inside the area.

Hrimat once again stepped up from the penalty spot, but this time Williams produced a defining moment of the final with a brilliant save that preserved Sundowns’ advantage.

The save proved decisive as the South African side expertly managed the closing stages despite further pressure from the hosts.

Although Lebogang Mothiba later had a goal ruled out for offside, Sundowns had already done enough to complete a historic continental triumph.

Guided by defensive discipline, Mokoena’s crucial strike and Williams’ heroic penalty save, the Tshwane giants once again reached the summit of African club football.

Photos