Sundowns crowned Africans Champions for second time

Alsharq Tribune-M.Essam 

Mohamed Hrimat gave AS FAR the lead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute before Teboho Mokoena equalised seconds before halftime

Ten years after winning their maiden continental title, Sundowns returned to the top of African football and claimed the increased prize money of $6 million.

A title that secured their qualification for three major international tournaments: the 2026 CAF Super Cup (where they will face Algerian side USM Alger), the 2026 Intercontinental Cup, and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

In contrast, AS FAR failed to win their second title in the competition, having lifted the trophy for the first time in 1985.

As expected, the hosts launched an early assault in a bid to capitalise on home advantage and strong crowd support. Meanwhile, the South African side, led by Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, sat deep to absorb the pressure, creating a scrappy opening spell that Reda Slim nearly exploited, but his cross failed to find a teammate in the box in the eighth minute.

Hrimat almost opened the scoring with a shot that drifted narrowly wide in the 16th minute.

The visitors nearly stunned the hosts on the counter-attack, but Tashreeq Matthews fired wide in the 24th minute. Slim responded with a dangerous cross into the area, but Ahmed Hammoudan failed to control the ball in front of goal seven minutes later.

Slim was brought down by Sundowns defender Divine Lunga, prompting Somali referee Omar Artan to award a penalty after a VAR review. Hrimat converted from the spot in the 40th minute, sending the ball to the left of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who dived the wrong way.

Abdel Fattah Hadraf then squandered a chance to double the lead when he fired narrowly wide from inside the area in the 42nd minute.

Veteran goalkeeper Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti produced an excellent save to deny Lucas Ribeiro in stoppage time of the first half, but he was unable to prevent Sundowns' equaliser moments later. Matthews’ backheel flick set up Teboho Mokoena, whose shot bounced in off the crossbar to level the score in the seventh minute of added time.

Missed penalty

The Moroccan side came out aggressively after the break in search of another goal, particularly through wingers Hammoudan and Slim, while Sundowns packed their defence and limited the space around Williams’ goal.

The hosts were awarded a second penalty in the 75th minute after Youssef El Fahli was fouled while chasing a rebound following Williams’ save from Hammoudan’s effort. Hrimat stepped up again, but this time Williams guessed correctly and produced a fine save.

Jayden Adams nearly gave Sundowns the lead in the 83rd minute, but his shot from inside the area flashed just wide of the left post.

Sundowns then managed the closing stages comfortably to secure the title at the final whistle.