Rabat – Mamelodi Sundowns are champions of Africa for the second time after holding AS FAR to a 1-1 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory in the Caf Champions League final.
A stunning strike from Teboho Mokoena and a crucial penalty save from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams proved the difference as Miguel Cardoso’s side completed the job following their 1-0 first-leg win at Loftus Versfeld.
AS FAR captain Mohamed Hrimat gave the Moroccan hosts the lead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute after Divine Lunga was caught in possession and clumsily brought down Reda Slim. Referee Abdulkadir Artan initially waved play on before a VAR review pointed to the spot, and Hrimat sent Williams the wrong way. 
Sundowns had a chance to equalise when Lunga crossed from the left, but Brayan Leon’s effort was too close to AS FAR goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti.
Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, Mokoena delivered a moment of magic. Leon’s cross was flicked on by Tashreeq Matthews, and Mokoena smashed an absolute rocket off the underside of the bar to silence the packed stadium and restore parity on the night.
The second half turned strange early on when AS FAR’s Mohamed Hadraf appeared to push his head into Jayden Adams’, with the Sundowns midfielder going to the ground. Artan booked both players.
Williams then handed the hosts a lifeline in the 75th minute, spilling a tame shot and clumsily bringing down Youssef Alfahli as the AS FAR man chased the loose ball. VAR intervened again, and Hrimat stepped up for his second penalty of the night — but this time Williams dived to his left to produce a brilliant save that effectively ended the tie.
The victory gives Sundowns a second Caf Champions League title, a decade after their first, and adds another star to their jersey. For Cardoso, it was a moment of personal redemption after losing his two previous Champions League finals in succession. The triumph also softened the blow of finishing second to Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership title race.
