CAF Champions League Final: Sundowns Aiming To End North Africa’s dominance

Photo: Action recorded in the first leg in South Africa

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

Football lovers in Africa and across the world will today shift their attention to Rabat, the Moroccan capital to know the team that will be crowned champion of the 2025/2026 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

The game which will be played at the 69,500 capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is the second and final leg of the continents most prestigious club competition and will be between two giants of African football, South African Memolodi Sunldowns and AS FAR of Morocco.

When both teams met in South Africa in the first leg about a week ago, at the Loftus Stadium, Pretoria, Sundowns recorded a slim 1-0 victory against their opponents, thanks to Aubrey Modiba’s superb free-kick, and will be going into today’s final with that advantage as they aim to end North African dominance of the money spinning championship.

Victory for Sundowns today, would end a run of nine straight Champions League titles for North African clubs, including two for Moroccan side, Wydad Casablanca, since Sundowns won the title in 2016.

A closer look at the history of the tournament shows that six clubs have taken 1-0 first-leg win to the finals, with three going on to become champions and three failing and it would not be surprising if the title is settled by away goals or penalty shootout, considering the pedigree of both teams.

To get to today’s finals, AS FAR won five times and drew twice at home. Sundowns won twice, drew twice and lost twice in away matches.

For the Moroccans, they will be counting on the support of their
vociferous fans to carry the day and make it the second time they’re winning the title after claiming it in 1985.

But for the South Africans, today’s final presents the opportunity for them to claim a second African crown after their triumph in 2016 and erase the pain of defeat in last season’s final against Egypt’s Pyramids FC.

The Coach Miguel Cardoso’s side have shown resilience and maturity throughout the campaign, but will know that navigating a hostile atmosphere in Rabat may represent their toughest challenge yet.

Speaking ahead of the match, an emotional Cardoso who has lost the last two Champions League finals said, “This is my third CAF Champions League final in a row, and it’s the first time I’m go into the second leg with a goal advantage and all three of them were played away.

“In the first match I drew for Esperance with Al Ahly. In the second one we drew 1-1 with Pyramids FC, and this time we have the privilege to be one goal ahead, but let’s see if it’s enough or not. We will fight to make it a success ,” he said..

In his own remarks, AS FAR handler, Alexandre Santos acknowledged that Sundowns are a very good side but was quick to add that they’ve what it takes to lift the trophy on home soil.

“It’s very difficult when Sundowns get space, they are one of the best teams of this continent.

“We kept the first leg result at 0-1 and in the end the most important thing is that we’re playing at home and will fight until the end as that’s our intention.”

A win for any of the teams will earn them a record 6 million Dollars.

Apart from the champion getting the huge amount, it will also secure qualification for CAF Super Cup 2026 against USM Alger, winners of the CAF Confederation Cup, earn entry into the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 along with the other champions of FIFA’s Confederations for this season, and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

As the time approaches for this all important finals, which is expected to be full of suspense, fire works and tactical display, fans are sure of watching a memorable final which the champions league is known for.