Teboho Mokoena’s decisive equaliser against AS FAR Rabat ensured that Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned the 2025/26 CAF Champions League champions on Sunday night, 24 May 2026, in Rabat, Morocco.
The South African team edged AS FAR Rabat 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their final match at a sold-out Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah.
The hosts’ Mohamed Hrimat broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 40th minute. Referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan had awarded the Moroccan team a penalty after a lengthy VAR review.
Teboho Mokoena Levels the Score Before the Half-Time Break
Teboho Mokoena silenced the AS FAR Rabat faithful when he scored the equaliser deep in stoppage time. The Bafana Bafana midfielder levelled the score with a beauty in the 45+7 minute, assisted by Tashreeq Matthews.
Mokoena’s goal meant that Mamelodi Sundowns were just 45 minutes away from winning their second CAF Champions League title. The African champions still had a lot of work to do in the second half in front of a hostile crowd.
Ronwen Williams Saves AS FAR Rabat’s Second Penalty
The home side received a lifeline when Ronwen Williams committed a foul inside the box. After a VAR review, the referee was satisfied that it was indeed a foul and awarded FAR their second spot kick of the match.
Williams, who is also the first-choice goalkeeper for the South African national team, redeemed himself and saved Mohamed Hrimat’s penalty.
His save kept Masandawana’s dream of winning the second CAF Champions League star alive.
After Williams’ save, Miguel Cardoso’s star-studded side defended solidly and carefully for the remainder of the match. The match ended 1-1.
Mamelodi Sundowns Crowned CAF Champions League Champions
Following the tense draw, Sundowns were crowned the 2025/26 CAF Champions League champions after winning the final 2-1 on aggregate.
Masandawana won the first leg of the clash 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 17 May 2026. Aubrey Modiba scored the winning goal in the 37th minute. He recorded his name on the scoresheet after scoring a cracker of a free kick.
Sundowns also made history in 2016 when they lifted the CAF Champions League crown for the first time. The Pretoria-based side was the first South African team to lift the trophy.
FIFA Club World Cup
After Sundowns were crowned African Champions in Morocco, FIFA took to social media to confirm that they have qualified for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
FIFA also revealed that the South African giants will participate in the forthcoming FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
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Sundowns’ Road to the Final
Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Esperance Tunis 2-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the elite African football competition.
Cardoso’s side won the second leg 1-0 at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on 18 April 2026. Brayan Leon netted the winner in the 35th minute, seconds after missing a penalty.
In the first leg of the encounter at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi on 12 April 2026, a 10-man Sundowns also edged Esperance Tunis 1-0.
Leon broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, assisted by Thapelo Morena. Despite Grant Kekana’s red card in the 84th minute, the South African heavyweights held on to their 1-0 lead until the final whistle.
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For a live score of any CAF Champions League fixture and a detailed match timeline, including scorers, cards, and substitutions, visit our live scores page.
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