In a thrilling conclusion to the football season, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns have emerged victorious in the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, defeating Morocco's AS FAR with a 2-1 aggregate score. This marks Sundowns' second triumph in the prestigious tournament, following their initial victory in 2016. The decisive moment came during the second leg of the final held in Rabat on Sunday, where a hard-fought 1-1 draw was sufficient to secure their championship title after they had already clinched a narrow 1-0 win at home in the first leg.
In addition to the historic achievement of lifting the trophy, Mamelodi Sundowns have also been rewarded with a record-breaking prize of USD 6 million. This financial windfall positions the club favorably as they prepare to enter several upcoming prestigious tournaments.
Upcoming Competitions for Sundowns
The excitement doesn’t stop here for Sundowns, as they are set to compete in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2026, where they will face the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, USM Alger from Algeria. This highly anticipated match pits the champions of CAF's two premier interclub competitions against each other in a one-off showdown. Both teams have a rich history with the trophy; Sundowns claimed their first title in 2017 by defeating TP Mazembe, while USM Alger lifted the cup in 2023 after overcoming Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Moreover, Sundowns will also participate in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026, which brings together the champions from FIFA's six confederations. As the reigning champions of Africa, Sundowns will compete against top clubs from Europe, South, Central, and North America, Asia, and Oceania. The competition will see Sundowns facing the winner of the matchup between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and New Zealand’s Auckland City in the second round. The excitement continues as the victor of the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal will also secure a spot in this prestigious tournament.
Looking even further ahead, Mamelodi Sundowns have also secured their place in the FIFA Club World Cup 2029, returning after their debut in the 2023 edition held in the United States. The FIFA Club World Cup features the top teams from each confederation over a four-year span, and the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League from 2025 to 2028 will earn qualification.
As reported by cafonline.com.
