Mamelodi Sundowns striker Brayan León could prove decisive when the South African champions host Moroccan giants AS FAR in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final on Sunday, 17 May.
The Colombian forward has emerged as one of Mamelodi Sundowns’ standout performers since arriving in Pretoria in January, quickly establishing himself as a major attacking threat.
Leon in Red-Hot Form
León heads into the final in sensational form, having scored 11 goals in the Betway Premiership and added five more in the CAF Champions League.
His continental contributions have been especially crucial.
The 25-year-old scored the winning goals in both legs of Mamelodi Sundowns’ semi-final victory over Tunisian heavyweights Espérance Sportive de Tunis, helping steer the Brazilians into another African final.
León arrives brimming with confidence after netting a hat-trick and a brace in his last two league appearances, while also seeing another goal controversially ruled out.
Golden Boot Motivation
Beyond helping Masandawana lift Africa’s premier club trophy for only a second time, León is also chasing individual honours.
His five goals in this season’s competition place him joint second on the scoring charts – just one behind Taddeus Nkeng of Stade Malien and Egyptian international Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet of Al Ahly.
Mamelodi Sundowns Warned Against Complacency
Despite entering the final with momentum, coach Miguel Cardoso has dismissed suggestions that Mamelodi Sundowns are overwhelming favourites.
“FAR are on the same level as Mamelodi Sundowns,” Cardoso warned.
“They have developed a very strong team. We respect them. Those who believe the final will be easy for us are completely wrong.”
The Portuguese tactician is eager to avoid a third straight Champions League final heartbreak after losing with Esperance in 2024 and suffering defeat with Sundowns against Pyramids FC last season.
FAR Quiet but Dangerous
AS FAR may have arrived in South Africa quietly, but the Moroccan side carry genuine threat.
Led by Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos, FAR possess a balanced attack, with several players contributing goals rather than relying on one standout striker.
Santos also has history against Sundowns, having masterminded a surprise victory over them while coaching Petro de Luanda in the 2021 CAF Champions League quarter-finals.
With confidence high but caution urged, Mamelodi Sundowns will hope León’s goalscoring form can edge them closer to continental glory in what promises to be a tightly contested final.
Unhappy with referee
Neither Mamelodi Sundowns nor AS FAR were happy when Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo from the Democratic Republic of Congo was chosen to referee the first leg, but the organisers rejected calls for a change.
Ngambo handled the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Most of the Senegal team walked off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a penalty. They later returned and won 1-0 in extra time.
Morocco appealed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and were awarded a 3-0 victory.
Senegal are now awaiting the outcome of their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Final dates
This year’s CAF Champions League first leg will take place at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria with kick-off scheduled for 16:00.
The second leg will take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on Sunday, 24 May at 21:00 (SA time).
Note: If the sides are level on aggregate and away goals after regular time in second leg, the final will go to a penalty shootout.
Prize money
Winners: $6 million
Runners-up: $4 million
Title winners
12: Al Ahly (EGY)
5: TP Mazembe (COD), Zamalek (EGY)
4: Esperance (TUN)
3: Raja Casablanca, Wydad Casablanca (both MAR), Canon Yaounde (CMR), Hafia (GUI)
2: Entente Setif, JS Kabylie (both ALG), Asante Kotoko (GHÁ), Enyimba (NGR)
1: ASEC Mimosas, Stade Abidjan (both CIV), Club Africain, Etoile Sahel (both TUN), Ismaily, Pyramids (both EGY), Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates (both RSA), Oryx Douala, Union Douala (both CMR), CARA (CGO), FAR Rabat (MAR), Hearts of Oak (GHA), Mouloudia Alger (ALG), V Club (COD)
Note: In 1997 the competition name was changed from the African Cup of Champions Clubs, and a group phase was added.
