South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroccan powerhouse AS FAR are set for a high-stakes showdown in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final on Sunday in Pretoria.
Sundowns arrive with formidable home form and attacking rhythm, while FAR Rabat boast the tournament’s stingiest defence, setting up a fascinating tactical clash between two former African champions.
The Brazilians are chasing a second continental title after their 2016 triumph, while FAR Rabat are aiming to win Africa’s biggest club trophy for the first time since 1985.
Their recent meetings suggest another closely fought encounter, with both group stage clashes in the 2024-25 campaign ending 1-1.
Match Details
- Fixture: Mamelodi Sundowns vs AS FAR
- Competition: CAF Champions League Final
- Date: Sunday, 17 May 2026
- Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
- Kick-off: 16h00 local time | 14h00 GMT
Key Match Facts
Sundowns and FAR Rabat have met twice in the CAF Champions League, with both matches finishing 1-1.
Sundowns are unbeaten in eight home CAF Champions League matches against Moroccan opposition, recording four wins and four draws.
This is Sundowns’ fourth CAF Champions League final appearance. They lost to Al Ahly in 2001, defeated Zamalek in 2016, and lost to Pyramids in the 2024-25 final.
FAR Rabat are appearing in their first CAF Champions League final and only their third campaign in the competition.
Sundowns are unbeaten at home over the last two CAF Champions League seasons (11 matches), winning their last three without conceding.
FAR Rabat have won only two of their 12 away matches in the competition and failed to score in four of their last five away games.
FAR Rabat have not conceded a first-half goal in this season’s tournament, while Sundowns have conceded the most first-half goals in the competition this term (6).
Sundowns lead the competition in goals scored from build-up attacks involving 10 or more passes, with six such goals — three times more than every other team combined.
FAR Rabat have the best defensive record in the tournament, conceding only five goals in 10 matches (0.5 per game).
Players to Watch
Brayan León – Mamelodi Sundowns
The Colombian forward has scored five of Sundowns’ last seven CAF Champions League goals and has found the net in each of his last four starts.
Ahmed Tagnaouti – FAR Rabat
The FAR goalkeeper has been one of the standout performers of the tournament, preventing an estimated 4.6 goals with 25 saves this season.
Teboho Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns
Mokoena has been central to Sundowns’ attacking structure, leading the competition in open-play shot-ending sequences.
