Mamelodi Sundowns One Step Closer To CAF Glory

The first leg of the CAF Champions League Final took place yesterday afternoon at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Unlike other domestic continental finals, the CAF Champions League final is played over two legs at each team's home stadium. Mamelodi Sundowns hosted FAR Rabat yesterday and secured a narrow 1-0 victory, giving them the upper hand heading into the game in Morocco this weekend.

From the first whistle, the Sundowns dominated the game. Firmly in control, it only took 37 minutes to break the deadlock as South African left-back Aubrey Modiba slotted home a free-kick to give them the lead. This was Modiba's first goal of the season, and it couldn't have come at a more crucial time for the the Brazilians.

Aubrey "Postman" Modiba pic.twitter.com/2eRx1IlZkX
— Sundowns Xtra (@SundownsXtra_) May 17, 2026

As the game went on, Sundowns commanded the ball. Portuguese attacking midfielder Nuno Santos was inspired and came close to doubling the side's lead but was ultimately unlucky. In total, Sundowns had 71% possession over 90 minutes and 11 shots. To even further prove their dominance, Mamelodi Sundowns made 507 (85%) accurate passes to Rabat's 145 (62%).

The CAF Champions League final first leg between Mamelodi Sundowns and FAR Rabat was overshadowed by a major VAR failure after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala announced during the match that the system was no longer operational.

The unexpected technical issue stunned players,… pic.twitter.com/6q299uQEB2
— Football Intel Africa (@_footballintel) May 18, 2026

The match was not without controversy. Early on, a VAR failure left the system unusable for the remainder of the game, sparking frustration among fans who felt key decisions may have swung in Sundowns’ favour without the safety net of technology. However, with the tie still only at the halfway stage, FAR Rabat remain firmly in contention and have plenty of time to overturn the one-goal deficit in the second leg.

While the game may have looked one-sided on paper, the tie remains finely balanced with just one goal separating the sides. Everything is still to play for this weekend, as the two teams meet again at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat, Morocco.

Time To Be Recrowned?

Mamelodi Sundowns' intent in this competition has been clear from the beginning, they want their second CAF Champions League title and will stop at nothing to get it. The Brazilians first won the competition in 2016, and the squad has changed immeasurably since then, yet the spirit and mentality still remains. Veteran attacking midfielder Themba Zwane is the only player from the 2016 squad who still plays for the side today.

2026 is our 2016 ⭐⭐ pic.twitter.com/bUY0dw58pU
— Sundowns Xtra (@SundownsXtra_) May 17, 2026

To add even more drama, Sundowns came agonisingly close last season, reaching the final before falling short against Egyptian side Pyramids. In true Sundowns fashion, they responded with smart refinement in the transfer window and have returned looking stronger than ever.

With another PSL title firmly in their sights, their pursuit of silverware remains relentless, and as the season reaches its defining moments, one thing feels certain, Mamelodi Sundowns will be right at the centre of it all.

Published 18 May 2026

Arthur Turner

Arthur is a writer at The Football Park, where he primarily focuses on African football and CAF competitions. Having spent a decade living in South Africa, he developed a deep passion for the continent’s game, which continues to shape his storytelling. Spotlighting emerging talents, major continental tournaments, and the cultural heartbeat of football across Africa, he provides fans with everything they need to know about African football.

Earlier in his writing career, Arthur covered the full breadth of the EFL as well as the rich, ever-evolving world of grassroots football, building a foundation in match reporting and feature writing. Arthur’s previous work also includes detailed season coverage of Chelsea FC loan players, writing extensively about rising stars such as Estevão Willian and Andrey Santos. A lifelong Chelsea fan, he brings both emotional investment and sharp insight to everything he produces.

Currently a student, Arthur blends light-hearted, fan-friendly storytelling with thoughtful tactical analysis and narrative-driven features, exploring both the technical and cultural sides of the sport with clarity and enthusiasm.

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Mamelodi Sundowns One Step Closer To CAF Glory