AS FAR of Morocco became the first African women’s side to defend their CAF Women’s Champions League title after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in the 2026 final at the Suez Canal Stadium on Sunday.
An Imane Touriss brace and a goal from Hiba Youssoufi were enough for the North Africans to pull one over their nemesis in yet another final having done the same thing in the 2022 edition. Sundowns’ consolation came from the boot of Refilwe Tholakele.
On top of the bragging rights and $600 000 (R10-million) prize money, AS FAR gets an opportunity to qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s Champions Cup in a playoff match against Korean side Naegohyang WFC next month.
Godfrey Sapula started the same side as in the semi-final win over Kawempe Muslism Ladies. The game started calmly with both sides sizing each other up. A real scoring opportunity came in the seventh minute from Sundowns when Tholakele located Ronnel Donnelly in the box only for the striker to collide with the defender and goalie.
Four minutes later a good combination play between Nonhalnhla Mthandi and Kholosa ‘Fox’ Biyana saw Fox deliver a perfect pass to Lelona Daweti in the box who with only the keeper to beat she shot off target.
Sundowns lived to regret missing the chance as the defending champions broke the deadlock through Touriss who punished Fox for losing the ball just outside her box in the 23rd minute.
The lead lasted only two minutes as Mthandi set-up Tholakele for the equaliser in the 25th minute. The Moroccan side regained their lead in the 37th minute through Youssoufi assisted by her captain Ghizlane Chebbak to give her side a comfortable 2-1 lead at halftime.
Sundowns made two changes when they returned from the break with Palesa Moletsane replacing Andile Dlamini in goals, after the latter picked an injury towards the end of the first half. The other change was up front Nthabiseng Majiya coming on for Daweti.
The opening of the stanza was characterised by half chances from Sundowns though still able to get in the opposition’s box.
Majiya came closest to levelling for the COSAFA champions in the 67th minute after pouncing on a rebound ball by Cesane, however the former’s effort was deflected for a corner. AS FAR went on to secure the game 10 minutes later with Touriss’ second goal as she slipped a Fatima Tagnaout ball under Moletsane’s body.
Sundowns will now return home to play catch-up matches in the Hollywoodbets Super League with the playoffs stage for the championship looming while ASFAR became the most successful side in the competition outright, with three titles, one ahead of Sundowns.