Mamelodi Sundowns vs AS FAR - Sundowns' Road to the 2026 CAF Champions League Final
Mamelodi Sundowns dominated their qualifying rounds in the CAF Champions League, defeating Remo Stars 7-1 on aggregate. Though their group stage posed challenges, Sundowns secured their knockout stage spot thanks to a vital final win against MC Alger. In the knockout rounds, they eliminated Stade Malien and then Esperance, each with strong home performances. Brayan Leon emerged as the team's top scorer with 5 goals, while Nuno Santos and Aubrey Modiba led in assists. The team's resilience and strategic signings have powered their quest for a second continental title.
- Sundowns overcame a tricky group stage with a must-win final game vs MC Alger.
- They defeated Stade Malien and Esperance in the Knockout Rounds to reach the CAF Champions League final.
- Brayan Leon tops the scoring for Sundowns (5 goals), whilst Nuno Santos has eight goal contributions (3 goals, 5 assists).
Sundowns are chasing a first CAF Champions League triumph in 10 years (Getty Images).
Sundowns' Early Rounds
The Brazilians faced Remo Stars of Nigeria in the qualifying rounds, winning 7-1 on aggregate over two legs. They won 5-1 away and 2-0 at home.
In the Group Stages, things were less straightforward. They were drawn with Congolese side St Eloi Lupopo, as well as MC Alger of Algeria and Al-Hilal Omdurman of Sudan. In the end, Sundowns finished second in Group C with two wins, three draws and one loss.
Going into matchday six, they had to beat MC Alger or their CAF journey would have come to a premature end. Sundowns won 2-0 on the day thanks to a brace from January signing, Brayan Leon.
Downs' Knockout Rounds
Masandawana drew Malian giants, Stade Malien in the quarter-finals. A 3-0 home win was followed by a nervy 2-0 defeat in the second leg. That victory set up a semi-final with Esperance, the former club of Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso.
A 1-0 win away in Tunisia saw Sundowns survive 17 shots from their opponents. A 1-0 home win in the second leg secured a spot in the final.
| Stage | Opponent | Venue | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Round first leg | Remo Stars | Away | 5-1 |
| Qualifying Round second leg | Remo Stars | Home | 2-0 |
| Group C - Matchday One | St Eloi Lupopo | Home | 3-1 |
| Group C - Matchday Two | MC Alger | Away | 0-0 |
| Group C - Matchday Three | Al-Hilal | Home | 2-2 |
| Group C - Matchday Four | Al-Hilal | Away | 1-2 |
| Group C - Matchday Five | St Eloi Lupopo | Away | 1-1 |
| Group C - Matchday Six | MC Alger | Home | 2-0 |
| Quarter Final first leg | Stade Malien | Home | 3-0 |
| Quarter Final second leg | Stade Malien | Away | 0-2 |
| Semi Final first leg | Esperance | Away | 1-0 |
| Semi Final second leg | Esperance | Home | 1-0 |
Sundowns' Key Player Stats
Across their 12 matches in this season's competitions, the top scorer for Sundowns is Brayan Leon with five goals. He has played just 517 minutes, but has made a massive impression in this competition.
Arthur Sales and Nuno Santos have three goals each, as Sundows have leaned heavily on their foreign continent in their pursuit of a second CAF Champions League crown.
Nuno Santos (5) and Aubrey Modiba (4) lead the assist charts for the club. Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena are the only players to have featured in all 12 CAF matches this season.
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