Mamelodi Sundowns face AS FAR Rabat in CAF Champions League final

The Stage is Set for the CAF Champions League Final

South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns will defend a 1-0 lead over Moroccan hosts AS FAR Rabat on Sunday in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final, a match that will be broadcast in more than 100 countries.

The Pressure on Sundowns Coach Miguel Cardoso

It is also a game that has Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso under pressure, having lost the last two finals, and who is now leading the team into the most valuable club match staged in African football history.

The Stakes are High in the CAF Champions League Final

The aggregate winners of the marquee African club competition pocket a record $6m plus the chance to bank a further $500,000 by winning a CAF Super Cup match.

On top of that, whichever club is crowned champions at the 70,000-seat Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is set for a minimum $9.5m payout as 2029 FIFA Club World Cup qualifiers.

Sundowns' Form in the South African Premiership

A day before Sundowns face AS FAR, Orlando Pirates won the South African Premiership by beating Orbit College, whose relegation was confirmed by the 2-0 defeat.

With the Pirates crowned champions, it ends an incredible run by Sundowns, who won the last eight editions of the richest African national league.

Cardoso's Thoughts on Sundowns' Form

The 53-year-old Portuguese admitted to reporters that Sundowns should have won the first leg by a wider margin last Sunday.

“We could have scored one more goal and created a greater advantage,” said Cardoso. He might have been referring to Brayan Leon missing a sitter or a Teboho Mokoena free-kick hitting the post.

The Contrast Between the Coaches

In the AS FAR dugout will be another Portuguese coach, Alexandre Santos, four years younger than Cardoso. He is seeking his first African trophy.

The contrast between the coaches is sharp. Cardoso moves up and down his technical area constantly, issuing instructions.

Can a South African Side End North Africa's CAF Dominance?

Victory for Sundowns would end a run of nine straight Champions League titles for North African clubs, including two for Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca, since Sundowns triumphed in 2016.

History offers few clues to the likely outcome, as six clubs have taken 1-0 first-leg leads in finals, with three going on to become champions and three failing.