South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will defend a 1-0 lead against Moroccan hosts AS FAR Rabat in Sunday’s second leg of the CAF Champions League final. The match will be broadcast in more than 100 countries.
It will also be a high-pressure game for Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, who has lost the previous two finals and is leading his team to the most valuable club competition in African football history.
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Al Jazeera Sports has detailed coverage of the match.
How much prize money is at stake in the CAF Champions League finals?
The winner of this prestigious African club competition will win a total of $6 million, with the chance to win another $500,000 if they win a CAF Super Cup match.
In addition, whoever wins the 70,000-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium will receive a minimum prize of $9.5 million as a 2029 FIFA Club World Cup qualifier.
Sundowns had four African players participate in the first World Club Championship held in the United States last year, and returned home with $12.5 million.
In addition to the $9.5 million participation fee, they earned $2 million for their win over South Korea’s Ulsan and $1 million for their draw with Brazil’s Fluminense.
The second World Club Championship is due to be held in 2029, with Egyptian side Pyramid having already secured a spot by defeating Sundowns in the 2025 Champions League final.
The pyramid will be joined by the winners of the next three editions, starting with the showdown between former African champions AS FAR and Sundowns.
Why is Sundowns manager Cardoso under so much pressure?
Portuguese coach Cardoso led the club to the last two Champions League finals, only to lose against Tunisian side Esperance in 2024 and Sundowns last season.
Since the Champions League began in 1964, no manager has reached three consecutive finals and lost all three.
Portuguese Manuel Jose led Egypt’s Al Ahly to four consecutive championships since 2005, winning three times. Another Ahly tactician, South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane, has won three in a row and won two.
In his first full season in charge of the Pretoria team, Cardoso has not lifted a trophy and failed to win any of the three domestic finals.
How did Sundowns perform in the South African Premiership?
The day before Sundowns faced AS FAR, Orlando Pirates defeated Orbit College, who were confirmed to be relegated with a 2-0 defeat, to win the South African Premiership.
Pirates’ victory marks the end of an incredible run by Sundowns, who have won the last eight games in Africa’s richest domestic league.
If Sundowns lose to AS FAR, they will end the season without a trophy, having won four in South Africa and one in Africa.
What does Cardoso say about Sundowns’ form?
The 53-year-old Portuguese admitted to reporters that Sundowns should have won by a bigger margin in last Sunday’s first leg.
“We could have scored another goal and created an even bigger advantage,” Cardoso said. He could have been referring to Brayan Leon missing a sitter or Teboho Mokoena’s free kick hitting the post.
“If we can bring the energy we showed in the first match into the return match, we can be African champions again,” he said.
How will AS FAR coach Santos shape up against Cardoso?
In the AS FAR dugout is another Portuguese coach, Alexandre Santos, who is four years younger than Cardoso. He is aiming for Africa’s first trophy.
The contrast between the coaches is stark. Cardoso constantly moves up and down the technical area and gives instructions.
Santos stands still for a long time, expressionless. He sometimes covers his mouth with his hand, intently observing what is happening.
“The goal we conceded in South Africa was not our fault, but the great ability of the Sundowns players,” Santos said, referring to full-back Aubrey Modiba’s thunderous free-kick.
Modiba is likely to miss the second leg after retiring with an injury last weekend. If he is unable to play, Zimbabwe international Divine Lungu is likely to take his place.
How did AS FAR Rabat perform in the Moroccan league this season?
AS FAR are trailing Botola Pro League leaders MAS Fes by one point in the Moroccan domestic league, but have an advantage in their matches against the top teams.
In the 16-team league, AS FAR have played 20 games this season and have won 10, making them the only undefeated team this season.
The difference in points between the top five teams in the league is just four points.
Will the South African side be able to end CAF domination of North Africa?
A victory for Sundowns would end a nine-peat run of nine consecutive Champions League titles by the North African club, including two by Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca since Sundowns won in 2016.
Historically, six clubs have led 1-0 in the first leg of a final, with three clubs becoming champions and three eliminated, so there is little clue as to the likely outcome.
It would not be surprising if the title deciding match was decided on away goals or in a penalty shootout.
On the way to the final, AS FAR won five times at home and drew twice. Sundowns have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 2 away from home.
