The Brazilian football club, Mamelodi Sundowns, has learned the identity of their opponents for the highly anticipated CAF Champions League final, following Al Zaeem's successful navigation of a gripping semi-final second leg against The Orange Boys. Despite enduring a narrow 1-0 defeat in the match, the Moroccan side managed to safeguard their first-leg advantage of 2-0, securing their place in the prestigious continental showpiece.
AS FAR has made history by reaching the CAF Champions League final for the very first time in their existence. They achieved this remarkable feat by overcoming RS Berkane with a 2-1 aggregate score, despite suffering a 1-0 defeat in the tense second leg held on Saturday in Berkane. The crucial advantage established in the first leg ultimately proved decisive in their qualification.
In front of a fervent home crowd, RS Berkane entered the match with a clear understanding of the need for a strong response after their setback in the initial leg. They commenced the game with urgency and determination, relentlessly pushing forward in search of an early goal, while AS FAR maintained a disciplined and organized defensive structure.
Goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti was instrumental in thwarting Berkane's advances, showcasing why he is considered one of the standout performers in this season's competition. His exceptional shot-stopping abilities played a vital role in preserving AS FAR's aggregate lead. Despite Berkane dominating possession and creating multiple scoring opportunities, it was Yassine Labhiri who ultimately proved to be pivotal in their attacking efforts, generating both shots and chances as they sought to break the deadlock.
Berkane's persistence paid off early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty after a foul on Paul Valère Bassène. The penalty decision, confirmed after a VAR review, underscored Berkane's attacking intent and marked yet another successful moment for Bassène, who has earned more penalties than any other player in the competition this season. Labhiri stepped forward to confidently convert the penalty in the 57th minute, marking his first goal in the CAF Champions League and injecting renewed hope into the hosts. However, it was insufficient to prevent the Rabat-based club from advancing to the final.
Mamelodi Sundowns reached the CAF Champions League final for the second consecutive season after defeating Esperance with a 2-0 aggregate score in the semi-final. Following a 1-0 victory in the first leg held in Rades, Tunisia, Sundowns completed the task on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Colombian forward Brayan Leon emerged as the hero once again, scoring in the 35th minute of the match. Though he had his penalty saved, he showed resilience by netting from the rebound.
The upcoming final will see AS FAR face off against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, marking a momentous occasion for the club, which has been waiting for decades to reach this stage. While AS FAR were the champions of the previous Champions Cup in the 1984/85 season, they have not clinched the title since it transitioned to the CAF Champions League format. Their achievement makes them the third Moroccan club to reach the final, following in the footsteps of Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca.
The 2026 CAF Champions League final is set to unfold as a two-legged tie on May 17 and May 24, 2026. The first match will take place in South Africa at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, while the second leg will be held in Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. For Mamelodi Sundowns, this marks their second consecutive final, and they are eager to secure the elusive second star that has been their pursuit since their initial victory in 2016. Conversely, AS FAR faces the challenge of their away performance at Loftus, as they have struggled to find the back of the net on the road throughout the competition.
As reported by goal.com.
