AS FAR starting line-up: Tagnaouti, Bach, Mendy, Loudni, Caneiro, Hrimat, Ouarkhane, Slim, El Fahli, Hadraf, Hammoudan.
Substitutes: Onyango, Kekana, Allende, Sales, Johannes, Zwane, Sibiya, Rayners, Mothiba.
Mamelodi Sundowns starting line-up: Williams, Mudau, Cupido, Ndamane, Lunga, Mokoena, Adams, Santos, Letlhaku, Matthews, Leoń.
Subsititutes: To be confirmed.
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CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL: AS FAR VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Sundowns walk into one of the biggest nights in the club’s modern history as they take a narrow advantage into Rabat for the second leg of the CAF Champions League final.
A decade after lifting their only continental crown in 2016, Masandawana are now 90 minutes away from potentially bringing the trophy back to Chloorkop.
The Moroccan capital hosts tonight’s decider with AS FAR expected to enjoy a fierce home atmosphere as they try overturn Sundowns’ 1-0 first-leg advantage.
Aubrey Modiba’s stunning free-kick in Pretoria separated the sides last week after Miguel Cardoso’s men controlled long spells of the match and created big opportunities, including clear openings for Brayan León.
But the job is far from finished. AS FAR arrive wounded but dangerous, carrying one of the strongest home records in the competition. The Moroccan giants have won five and drawn two of their home games en route to the final. They have built their campaign on defensive discipline, conceding just 0.5 goals per match.
SECOND FINAL IN TWO SEASONS
For Sundowns, the stakes stretch beyond tonight. Their domestic dominance ended this season after Orlando Pirates wrestled away the Betway Premiership tite. This continental final carries even more significance. The chance to lift a second CAF Champions League trophy could reshape how this generation is remembered.
Their recent continental story reads:
2001 – Runner-up
2016 – Champions 🥇
2017 – Quarter-finals
2019 – Semi-finals
2020 – Quarter-finals
2021 – Quarter-finals
2022 – Quarter-finals
2023 – Semi-finals
2024 – Semi-finals
2025 – Runner-up
2026 – ?
Sundowns will again look to dominate possession through the likes of Teboho Mokoena and their intricate build-up patterns. AS FAR are expected to lean on intensity, transitions and the energy of the Rabat crowd.
History offers no guarantees either. Teams protecting a 1-0 lead in CAF Champions League finals have gone on to win the trophy only half the time.
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Under the Moroccan lights tonight, Sundowns have a chance to end years of near-misses. They aim to write a new chapter in club history.
