Mamelodi Sundowns host AS FAR at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria today for the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final [1, 2].
The match represents a critical opportunity for both clubs to secure a second African title and establish continental dominance. For Sundowns, a victory would mark their first championship since 2016 [1].
The first leg is scheduled for kick-off at 4 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 17, 2026 [3, 4]. The venue, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, provides a home-field advantage for the Pretoria-based club as they attempt to build a lead before the second leg [2, 3].
Mamelodi Sundowns enter the final with a strategic focus on the Moroccan side. Coach Miguel Cardoso said the team has prepared specifically for the opponent's style of play.
"We have done our due diligence on Moroccan side AS FAR, and we know exactly what we are up against," Cardoso said [3].
AS FAR arrives in South Africa seeking their own second continental trophy. The Moroccan club aims to disrupt the home side's momentum and secure a favorable result to take back to their home territory [1, 3].
The rivalry between the two clubs is heightened by the stakes of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, which remains the most prestigious club competition in Africa [1, 2]. Both teams have navigated a rigorous tournament bracket to reach this final stage.
“Mamelodi Sundowns aim to win their first African title since 2016.”
This final highlights the ongoing competitive tension between Southern and Northern African football powerhouses. A victory for Mamelodi Sundowns would end a decade-long drought for the club and reinforce South Africa's standing in the CAF hierarchy, while a strong performance by AS FAR would signal a shift in momentum toward the Moroccan league.
