The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially rescheduled the first leg of the 2025–26 CAF Champions League final, offering both finalists greater clarity as they prepare for Africa’s biggest club fixture.
The opening leg between Morocco’s AS FAR and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will now take place on Sunday, May 17, instead of the initially fixed Friday, May 15. The return leg remains unchanged and is set for Sunday, May 24, in Rabat.
The first leg will be staged at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, while the decisive return fixture will be held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat, where AS FAR will look to capitalise on home support.
The adjustment follows a formal request by Mamelodi Sundowns, who sought a 48-hour postponement to address logistical concerns, including attendance, scheduling, and preferred kick-off conditions. The South African side pushed for a weekend fixture to maximise fan turnout and enhance the matchday atmosphere for a continental final—an appeal CAF has now granted.
Although the exact kick-off time is yet to be confirmed, the revised schedule gives Sundowns the Sunday slot they desired, potentially boosting crowd presence in Pretoria.
For AS FAR, the final presents a historic opportunity to secure only their second CAF Champions League title—and their first since 1985, when they became the first Moroccan club to lift Africa’s premier club trophy. Their journey to the final included a hard-fought semi-final victory over RS Berkane, fueling optimism in Rabat that continental glory is within reach.
The Moroccan side could benefit significantly from hosting the second leg, especially if they can secure a favourable result away in Pretoria.
On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns are targeting a second continental crown, having previously won the title in 2016. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s most consistent clubs in recent years, the Pretoria-based side will aim to take advantage of the home leg before heading to Morocco.
Moroccan clubs have asserted strong dominance in African competitions over the past decade, with sides such as Wydad Casablanca, Raja Casablanca, RS Berkane, and now AS FAR regularly reaching the latter stages of continental tournaments, underscoring the country’s growing influence on the African football landscape.
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