Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate winning the 2025/26 CAF Champions League title after a 1-1 draw in Rabat secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over AS FAR of Morocco on Sunday 24 May 2026. Photo credit: @Masandawana on X
Mamelodi Sundowns have claimed their second CAF Champions League title after a tense 1-1 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over AS FAR of Morocco. Teboho Mokoena’s stoppage time first half goal was the moment that won the title. The Brazilians are champions of Africa for the first time since 2016.
Mamelodi Sundowns are the champions of Africa. Ten years after their historic first CAF Champions League triumph under Pitso Mosimane, the Brazilians have done it again. A 1-1 draw in a hostile and electric Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday evening 24 May 2026 was enough to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory over AS FAR of Morocco and deliver South Africa’s most celebrated football club their second continental crown.
The trophy was lifted to the roar of the travelling Sundowns supporters who had made the journey to Morocco. South Africa celebrated as one.
How the Night Unfolded
Sundowns arrived in Rabat holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at Loftus Versfeld the previous Sunday, where Aubrey Modiba’s stunning free kick had been the difference. The task was clear. Defend the lead. Stay disciplined. Do not concede an away goal.
AS FAR had other ideas. The Moroccan side started with ferocious intensity in front of a packed home stadium and found their breakthrough in the 40th minute. Mohamed Rabie Hrimat stepped up to the penalty spot and converted with composure, levelling the aggregate score and sending the Rabat crowd into delirium. For a few minutes the momentum swung decisively toward the home side.
Then Teboho Mokoena happened.
In the dying moments of the first half, with the tie level on aggregate and the Sundowns supporters holding their breath, Mokoena appeared inside the box to finish clinically and restore the South African club’s advantage heading into the break. The goal was described by Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams as the game-changing moment of the entire campaign. It completely shifted the pressure back onto AS FAR and gave Sundowns the platform to defend with confidence in the second half.
The Second Half
AS FAR threw everything at Sundowns in the second half. Alexandre Santos’ side pushed forward relentlessly in search of the goal that would force extra time. Sundowns defended with composure, experience and the kind of collective defensive discipline that coach Miguel Cardoso had built throughout the campaign.
Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Keanu Cupido, Khulumani Ndamane and Aubrey Modiba formed a defensive unit that withstood every Moroccan attack. The final whistle confirmed what Teboho Mokoena’s goal had all but sealed. Mamelodi Sundowns were champions of Africa.
Ronwen Williams Speaks
Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams said the club fully deserved their triumph after years of knocking on the door of continental glory. “We’ve been working so hard for this. We’ve come close so many times. Tonight we showed what this group is made of,” Williams said after the final whistle. He noted that the team had refused to collapse when AS FAR equalised and had instead found the response that champions find.
A Trophy Tour and a Heroes Welcome
Sundowns arrived back at OR Tambo International Airport late on Monday night to rapturous celebrations from thousands of supporters who had gathered to welcome their heroes home. The club embarked on a trophy tour of Pretoria on Tuesday to celebrate the achievement with the city and their fans.
Several Sundowns players will now join the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Hugo Broos having included nine Sundowns players in his 32-man preliminary squad. The club also has an exhibition match against German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig scheduled for Friday. The achievement will live long in the memory of South African football.
What the Title Means
The financial reward alone is historic. CAF increased the winner’s prize money by 50 percent ahead of this season, making the payout the richest in CAF Champions League history at USD 6 million. But the prize money is only part of the story.
Sundowns have qualified for the CAF Super Cup 2026, where they will face CAF Confederation Cup winners USM Alger of Algeria. They have qualified for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026, where they will represent Africa against the champions of FIFA’s other five confederations. And they have secured a place at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, continuing a relationship with global club football’s most prestigious tournament that began with their debut appearance in the United States in 2025.
Ten years ago, Sundowns shocked the continent with their first CAF Champions League title. On Sunday evening in Rabat, with Teboho Mokoena’s stoppage time goal ringing in the ears of the travelling Sundowns faithful, they reminded Africa that the Brazilians are back. And they are not finished.
Editors Note All match statistics and results referenced in this article are based on official CAF Champions League 2025/26 records as at 24 May 2026.