WeeklySA_AdminSUPREMACY: Two former African champions chase glory, history and a record R100 million CAF Champions League prize in a continental heavyweight battle…
By WSAM Sports Correspondent
Pretoria is set for another defining night of African club football as Mamelodi Sundowns host Moroccan giants AS FAR in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.
The clash brings together two ambitious clubs separated by little on paper but united by the hunger to reclaim continental supremacy.
For Sundowns, it is another opportunity to cement their status as South Africa’s dominant football force and capture a second CAF Champions League crown since their historic triumph in 2016.
For AS FAR, the final represents a chance to end a 41-year wait for continental glory after becoming the first Moroccan club to win Africa’s premier club competition in 1985.
Adding even greater stakes to the occasion is CAF’s record USD6 million winner’s prize, the richest reward yet in African club football.
The two sides already know each other well after both group-stage meetings last season ended in tense 1-1 draws, underlining how evenly matched the finalists are.
Sunday’s encounter is expected to develop into a fascinating tactical duel between Sundowns’ possession-heavy attacking football and FAR’s disciplined defensive structure.
Miguel Cardoso’s Sundowns arrive carrying the expectations of South African supporters desperate to see the Brazilians return to the summit of African football. The Portuguese coach was brought to Chloorkop specifically to restore continental dominance, and guiding the club into another final has already strengthened belief in his project.
Sundowns remain formidable at home. The Pretoria side are unbeaten in their last eight home CAF Champions League matches against Moroccan opposition, winning four and drawing four.
Even more impressively, the South African champions are unbeaten at home across the last two CAF Champions League seasons, winning six and drawing five of their last 11 matches at Loftus Versfeld. Cardoso’s side also bring serious attacking firepower into the final.
Colombian striker Brayan León has emerged as Sundowns’ danger man after scoring five of the club’s last seven goals in the competition. The forward has scored in each of his last four CAF Champions League starts and could become the first player since 2016 to score in five consecutive starts in the competition.
Midfield general Teboho Mokoena has also been central to Sundowns’ attacking rhythm. He has been involved in 42 open-play shot-ending sequences this season — the highest figure in the competition.
Sundowns’ patient build-up style has become one of their deadliest weapons. They have scored six goals following attacking sequences involving 10 or more passes, three times more than all other teams combined in this season’s tournament. Yet, there are warning signs for the home side.
Defensive injuries have disrupted preparations, with Keanu Cupido doubtful and Grant Kekana suspended. Sundowns have also looked unusually vulnerable at the back in recent weeks, conceding seven goals in their last two matches across all competitions.
That vulnerability could encourage a FAR side that has built its run to the final on defensive discipline and tactical patience.
The Moroccan giants have conceded just five goals in 10 Champions League matches this season — the best defensive record in the competition. Remarkably, they have not conceded a single first-half goal in the tournament this season.
Coach Alexandre Santos has transformed FAR into one of Africa’s most organised teams since taking charge earlier this year. His side are comfortable without possession and dangerous on the counterattack, a style that could frustrate Sundowns in front of their home supporters.
FAR will also rely heavily on goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti, who has produced some of the competition’s best performances between the posts this season. The Moroccan international has prevented an estimated 4.6 goals through his saves — the highest figure among goalkeepers in this year’s tournament.
Although FAR have struggled for away victories historically, winning only two of 12 away Champions League matches, they remain a difficult side to break down.
The first leg in Pretoria could ultimately shape the destiny of the trophy before the decisive return clash in Rabat next week.
For Sundowns, a strong home result may be essential before travelling to Morocco. For FAR, keeping the tie alive and limiting damage away from home could be enough to swing momentum back in their favour ahead of the second leg.
With two experienced Portuguese coaches, elite talent on both sides and enormous continental pressure, Sunday’s final promises another unforgettable chapter in African football.
