Mamelodi Sundowns secured the African Champions League title on Sunday after a hard fought 1-1 draw against Royal Armed Forces in Rabat, sealing a 2-1 aggregate victory and their second continental crown.
The South African side, who carried a 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Pretoria, were tested under pressure for long stretches but produced a decisive moment of quality through Teboho Mokoena, whose stunning long range strike proved the difference over the two legs.
The hosts had drawn level on aggregate just before half time when captain Mohamed Hrimat converted from the penalty spot after a foul by Sundowns defender Divine Lunga. The goal ignited the Rabat crowd and shifted momentum firmly in favour of the Moroccan side.
But Sundowns responded almost immediately. Deep into first half stoppage time, a flowing move down the right saw a cross from Brayan Leon flicked on by Tashreeq Matthews into the path of Mokoena. The midfielder unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box that crashed in off the underside of the bar, restoring the visitors’ aggregate lead in emphatic fashion.
That goal forced Royal Armed Forces to chase the game, and they were handed a golden opportunity to do so with 15 minutes remaining when they were awarded a second penalty. This time, however, Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams stepped up with a crucial intervention, diving low to his left to deny Hrimat and preserve his side’s advantage.
The closing stages were tense, with the home side throwing numbers forward and creating several late chances, but Sundowns held firm to see out the result and complete a long awaited return to the top of African club football.
The triumph marks Sundowns’ second Champions League title, adding to their 2016 success, and comes after recent near misses, including defeat in last season’s final to Pyramids FC. For head coach Miguel Cardoso, it is a breakthrough moment after falling short in previous finals, including in 2024 with Esperance de Tunis.
Speaking after the match, Williams reflected on the journey, describing the victory as richly deserved after years of consistently competing at the highest level. The win also secures Sundowns qualification for the Intercontinental Cup and the expanded 2029 Club World Cup, further elevating the club’s global profile.
While Sundowns dominated the first leg, the return fixture told a different story, with Royal Armed Forces creating numerous opportunities and pushing the South Africans to their limits. Yet the combination of clinical finishing and decisive goalkeeping ultimately proved enough.
In lifting the trophy, Sundowns underline their status as one of the continent’s leading clubs, turning persistence into silverware and adding another star to their jersey after years of knocking on the door.
