Sundowns rule Africa again! Red-Hot Brazilians silence Rabat to secure Club World Cup spot

24.05.26 FT CAF Champions League

FAR Rabat

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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Mamelodi Sundowns battled AS FAR in Rabat on Sunday night 24 May during an intense CAF Champions League final second leg to decide the African kings.

Drama unfolds in Rabat

The Moroccan hosts entered second leg at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from first leg in Pretoria.

They got exactly what they needed just before the interval. Reda Slim drew a foul inside the box allowing captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat to coolly convert a 40th minute penalty.

The successful spot-kick sent the home crowd into a frenzy and leveled the tie on aggregate.

However the celebrations were short lived. In the seventh minute of first half stoppage time, South African midfield general Teboho Mokoena silenced the stadium.

Mokoena unleashed a fierce long range strike that flew past the Moroccan goalkeeper, this quick response completely changed the complex mechanics of the final restoring Sundowns' 2-1 aggregate lead right before the referee blew for halftime.

The decisive turning point

The second half provided AS FAR with a golden opportunity to push the match into extra time.

With roughly 15 minute left on the clock, the referee awarded the military club a second penalty. Hrimat stepped up once more to rescue his side but this time, pressure got the upper hand.

The skipper missed the target squandering a priceless opportunity to revive the Moroccan dream.

Following the penalty miss, the Pretoria based outfit leaned heavily on their continental experience. They slowed down the tempo, choked the spaces in midfield and effectively managed the final minutes to frustrate the Moroccan attack.

Global rewards and redemption

This victory marks Sundowns' second CAF Champions League trophy adding to their maiden star earned back in 2016.

It also serves as massive redemption for the Brazilians who suffered a painful defeat in last season's final against Egypt's Pyramids FC. Their dominant run this year included a convincing 2-0 aggregate victory over Tunisian giants Esperance in semi finals cementing their status as Africa's most consistent team.

Beyond continental glory, this triumph books Sundowns a lucrative ticket to both the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the highly anticipated 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

The long term sporting and financial benefits will firmly establish the South African club as a global brand.

Breaking the Northern Stranglehold

Sundowns' triumph represents a rare shift in power breaking the traditional dominance of North African clubs who have won 8 of the last 10 Champions League titles.

This continental triumph mirrors the historic 2016 run when Pitso Mosimane led Sundowns to their first star against Egypt's Zamalek.

AS FAR will deeply regret their missed opportunities leaving them empty handed as their wait for a first continental crown since 1985 continues.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

Related teams and leagues

FAR Rabat

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

CAF Champions League