South Africa football giants Mamelodi Sundowns have lifted their second African Champions League title after a 1-1 draw away and 2-1 aggregate against AS FAR. Sundowns took a 1-0 lead to the second leg of the final in Rabat, from Aubrey Modiba’s strike last Sunday.
Mohamed Hrimat levelled the tie five minutes before half-time from the penalty spot after Divine Lunga had fouled Reda Slim. However, Teboho Mokoena scored an equaliser from a brilliant volley during the first half of the extra time to restore Sundown’s aggregate advantage.
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The Moroccans needed two more goals to to eliminate Sundowns’ away goals advantage and lift the trophy. The hosts had a crucial opportunity to revive their title hopes when Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams fouled Youssef El Fahli in the 77th minute. However, the Bafana Bafana captain redeemed himself by brilliantly saving Hrimat’s second spot kick, which triggered an exodus from the stadium by thousands of Moroccan supporters.
Jalal-Eddine El Khfiyef fired over late on for AS FAR but Sundowns held on to their lead throughout the eight minutes of extra time to claim their second title after their first triumph in 2016.
The win means Mamelodi Sundowns have earned a record $6m (£4.49m) and booked a spot at the 2029 Fifa Club World Cup.
Morocco king pardons jailed Senegal supporters from 2025 AFCON final
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has pardoned the jailed Senegalese football supporters following the violence at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat. A royal court statement confirmed that the supporters were released for “humanitarian reasons.” The statement also revealed the king pardoned the supporters in view “of the age-old fraternal ties” between the two countries “and on the occasion of the advent of Eid al-Adha” which will be celebrated on Wednesday in Morocco.
In February, Moroccan courts sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters held in Morocco since the final to prison ranging from three months to a year. Three were released from jail in mid-April after completing their three-month sentence, while 15 remained incarcerated to serve their sentences ranging from six months to one year.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, charges were based mainly on footage from cameras at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium and injured law enforcement officers and stewards medical certificates. Damage from the violence was also estimated at over 370,000 euros (approximately $430,000).
The 18 Senegalese fans were jailed following a pitch invasion which occurred when Morocco was awarded a late penalty in the final on January 18. Brahim Diaz missed the penalty before Senegal claimed the AFCON title with an injury-time 1-0 win.
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On March 17, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned Senegal’s title claim and awarded a 3-0 win to Morocco to crown the hosts champions. CAF upheld the appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation which said that Senegal players broke football rules by walking off the pitch.
Senegal have since filed an appeal to overturn the decision and reclaim the title.
