South African club side Mamelodi Sundowns has secured its second continental African Champions League crown, holding on for a 1-1 away draw against Morocco’s AS FAR that was enough to seal a 2-1 aggregate victory in the competition’s 2025 final.
Heading into the second leg hosted at Rabat’s 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the South African side already held a 1-0 advantage from the opening fixture last Sunday, earned via a well-taken strike from defender Aubrey Modiba. The atmosphere in the ground was tense and intimidating for the visitors from kickoff, with nearly a full crowd overwhelmingly rooting for AS FAR, who were chasing their first African top-flight club title since 1985.
The deadlock on the night was broken five minutes before halftime, when Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review prompted referee Omar Artan to award the hosts a penalty. Mamelodi Sundowns left-back Divine Lunga was judged to have fouled Moroccan winger Reda Slim while attempting a clearance, and forward Mohamed Hrimat stepped up to calmly slot the spot-kick past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, drawing the overall tie level.
But just seven minutes into first-half stoppage time, Mamelodi Sundowns responded with a stunning equaliser that would ultimately decide the title. A cross from Brayan Leon was flicked into space by Tashreeq Matthews, and midfielder Teboho Mokoena unleashed a blistering 15-yard half-volley that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar. The goal put the South Africans back ahead on aggregate, and under the competition’s away goals rule, it left AS FAR needing two more strikes to claim the trophy.
AS FAR had a golden chance to turn the tie back in their favour in the 77th minute, when another VAR review awarded the Moroccans a second penalty. The spot-kick came after Williams spilled a low shot from Ahmed Hammoudan and brought down Youssef El Fahli while trying to recover the loose ball. Hrimat stepped up for a second attempt from 12 yards, but Williams, who gained fame for saving four penalties in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations shootout against Cape Verde, produced another heroic stop, diving left to push the effort over the bar with his left arm.
Late substitute Jalal-Eddine El Khfiyef sent a late opportunity over the crossbar as AS FAR pushed for the winning goal they needed, and Mamelodi Sundowns held firm through eight minutes of stoppage time to confirm their win. This title marks the club’s first African Champions League triumph since their maiden victory in 2016, and it comes one year after the side fell to Egyptian club Pyramids in the 2024 final.
Alongside the title, Mamelodi Sundowns claims a record-breaking $6 million in prize money and secures a automatic spot at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. Notably, the continental victory comes just 24 hours after the side lost their eight-year streak as South African domestic league champions, finishing second behind Orlando Pirates in the 2025 season.