WeeklySA_AdminKEY FACTOR: HOW THE SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL GIANTS’ IMPORTS HAVE SHAPED THEIR CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CAMPAIGN UP TO THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FINAL AGAINST MOROCCAN SIDE AS FAR…
By Own Correspondent
Mamelodi Sundowns head into the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2025/26 final against Moroccan side AS FAR with a squad packed with talent.
But central to their success in this campaign has been the form of their ‘Latin’ players: a Chilean, a Colombian, a Brazilian and two Portuguese stars.
Their influence on the team has made Sundowns one of the best attacking units on the continent and has been a key factor in their run to the final.
Sundowns host the first leg of the final in Pretoria on May 17 (14h00 GMT), with the return fixture in Rabat on May 24 (19h00 GMT).
MARCELO ALLENDE
Nationality: Chile
2025/26 appearances/goals: 12/1
The Chilean midfielder has featured in every CAF Champions League game for Sundowns so far this season, which speaks to his value to the side.
Diminutive in frame, he has excellent technical quality and is an anchor in the middle of the park through which much of Sundowns’ play goes.
Once on trial at English Premier League side Arsenal, where he is said to have impressed then manager Arsene Wenger, he ended up joining Sundowns in 2022 and has been a stalwart for the side in domestic and continental football ever since.
BRAYAN LEON
Nationality: Colombia
2025/26 appearances/goals: 8/5
The Colombian only joined the club in January 2026 from Independiente in his homeland, but has made a huge impact.
He has scored five goals in five starts, and eight appearances in all, with all of those goals coming in his last five matches in the competition.
He scored in both legs of the semi-final against Esperance, and also netted twice against MC Alger and once against Stade Malien.
The 25-year-old is quickly repaying his transfer fee and could be a key man in taking Sundowns to the title.
MIGUEL REISINHO
Nationality: Portugal
2025/26 appearances/goals: 5/1
The Portuguese midfielder has been under an injury cloud and it remains to be seen if he will be ready for the final.
He was an important player for Sundowns early in the campaign and has a single goal in five appearances.
He arrived from Portuguese top-flight side Boavista at the start of the season, where he had been a regular, but has managed only 13 appearances in all competitions for the Brazilians, with two goals and one assist.
ARTHUR SALES
Nationality: Brazil
2025/26 appearances/goals: 12/3
Another who has featured in every CAF Champions League fixture so far this season is the Brazilian Sales, who has five goal contributions.
He has scored three himself and provided two assists, and remains key to unlocking stubborn opposition defences for Sundowns.
He has great control and intelligent passing that allow him to create scoring opportunities both for himself and others.
Last season he managed a single assist in 11 CAF Champions League appearances, which shows his improvement this term.
NUNO SANTOS
Nationality: Portugal
2025/26 appearances/goals: 9/3
The Portuguese playmaker has been a revelation since his arrival at Sundowns and has eight goal contributions in nine CAF Champions League appearances so far.
He has scored three goals and provided another five assists, turning provider for teammates with his ability to spot a pass and his excellence from dead-ball situations.
The 27-year-old has been under an injury cloud, so will be in a race against time to be fit, but should make it.
He makes a huge difference to the Sundowns attack, both as a scorer and creator of goals, and has great experience from having played in the Portuguese top flight and Major League Soccer in the United States. – CAFonline
