AS FAR
vs Mamelodi Sundowns

AS FAR vs Mamelodi Sundowns prediction — CAF Champions League Final, 2nd leg

The biggest fixture in South African club football in years arrives on Saturday, 24 May 2026, 21:00 SAST at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Mamelodi Sundowns travel to Morocco with a 1-0 aggregate lead over AS FAR after Aubrey Modiba's late first-half free-kick at Loftus Versfeld in the first leg on 17 May. Win, draw or lose by a single goal — Sundowns are 90 minutes away from a second TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title and a second continental crown for South Africa.

This is the most-traded match in the SA market this week. Pre-match, the "Sundowns to qualify" line sits at ~1.55 across Hollywoodbets, Betway SA and SuperSportBet — the bookmakers' implied probability is around 64% that Masandawana hold the advantage and lift the trophy.

Match info

• Kick-off: Saturday, 24 May 2026, 21:00 SAST (20:00 Moroccan local time, 19:00 GMT).
• Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat (capacity ~52 000 — sold out, with reports of half a million ticket applications in the first batch).
• Competition: 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League — Final, second leg.
• First leg result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 AS FAR (Modiba 43', Loftus Versfeld).
• Aggregate going into 2nd leg: Mamelodi Sundowns lead 1-0.
• Referee / tie-breaker: if aggregate is level after 90 minutes the away goals rule applies; per the CAF rules for this season's final, no extra time will be played and a penalty shoot-out decides the trophy if scores remain tied.

Form guide — into the 2nd leg

Mamelodi Sundowns finished the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season as champions on 68 points — yet another comfortable title, secured weeks before the run-in. In Africa, Sundowns have followed an almost flawless route to the final: top of their group, then knockout wins built on the kind of controlled, possession-heavy football coach Miguel Cardoso has insisted on all season. The first leg against AS FAR was vintage Cardoso — Sundowns dominated possession, found the breakthrough through a Modiba set-piece, and absorbed late Moroccan pressure without conceding.

AS FAR are Morocco's oldest professional club and the side that lifted the 1985 African Cup of Champions Clubs. The current squad — heavy on Moroccan internationals, with experienced North African coaching — produced one of the toughest first-leg performances Sundowns have faced this campaign. They lost 0-1, but on chances and territorial pressure the match was closer than the scoreline suggests. At home in Rabat, AS FAR's record in continental knockout football is excellent.

Team news & key players

For Sundowns, the biggest positive is the return of Grant Kekana from suspension — adds an extra option in central defence for the second leg. Aubrey Modiba (free-kick goal in the first leg), Iqraam Rayners (PSL top scorer for Sundowns this season with 12 goals), Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Brayan León all give Miguel Cardoso multiple attacking options. Goalkeeper Denis Onyango has been the settled pick across the CAF run.

Cardoso has been emphatic in the build-up: "We will fight to make the one goal advantage enough… but we are not going to park the bus. We will attack within limits." The likely shape is the same 4-3-3 with high full-backs that produced the first-leg result, with possible rotation in midfield to bring in Themba Zwane for late game-management.

For AS FAR, the home crowd is the headline factor. Their preferred 4-2-3-1 funnels attacks through a central creator and a target striker; expect long early pressure to chase the away goal.

Head to head

This is only the second-ever meeting between the two clubs at senior level — both in the 2025/26 final. The Loftus first leg is the only data point. Beyond that, Sundowns vs Moroccan opposition in CAF Champions League knockout football has produced mixed but generally competitive results — historically a Sundowns banker against North African opposition has never existed.

Mamelodi Sundowns to qualify — our prediction

The cleanest single-bet angle on this fixture is the "To Qualify" market on Mamelodi Sundowns at ~1.55. The rationale:

• Sundowns lead 1-0 — AS FAR need to score at least once and outscore Sundowns by two clear goals (or by one with no Sundowns reply) to win outright. Anything else, including a 0-0 or 1-1, sends Sundowns through.
• Sundowns conceded just one chance from open play in the first leg. Their defensive structure has been the best in the CAF tournament.
• AS FAR will commit numbers forward — opening counter-attacking space for Modiba, Rayners and Ribeiro to find a precious away goal. Even a 1-1 result eliminates AS FAR.

For a punchier price, Sundowns Draw No Bet sits around 2.05–2.15 at Hollywoodbets and Betway SA. The Sundowns straight-2 win price is 3.30, reflecting the bookmaker assumption that AS FAR will score at least once — historically a fair read.

For a defensive variance play, Under 2.5 goals @ ~1.70 is the secondary recommendation. Both legs of last year's CAF final were tight; both managers will lean cautious; and the away-goals rule actively discourages AS FAR from leaving gaps once the score is level.

Latest odds — 24 May 2026 snapshot

Snapshot taken 20 May 2026 from each operator's pre-match Champions League final page. Lines move quickly on team news — confirm before placing serious stake.

Betting tips

• Lead bet: Sundowns to qualify @ ~1.55. Confidence 62%.
• Secondary: Under 2.5 goals @ ~1.70 for a slightly higher-variance defensive angle.
• Specials worth checking: Aubrey Modiba anytime scorer or assist; Iqraam Rayners shots on target Over 1.5; first-half Under 0.5 goals.

Where to bet on the CAF Champions League final in South Africa

• Hollywoodbets — the deepest CAF Champions League market in SA. Best of the major books for "To Qualify" and bet-builder combinations on Sundowns.
• Betway South Africa — price leader on the headline 1X2 and goals lines. Strong on player props (Modiba free-kick markets, Rayners shots).
• SuperSportBet — competitive bet-builder pricing on Sundowns + Under 2.5 goal-line combos.

For deposit bonuses and the full operator comparison, see our best betting sites in South Africa page.

FAQ

What time does AS FAR vs Mamelodi Sundowns kick off? 21:00 SAST on Saturday, 24 May 2026 (20:00 Moroccan time, 19:00 GMT) at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat.

What is the aggregate score going into the second leg? Mamelodi Sundowns lead 1-0 after Aubrey Modiba's first-leg free-kick at Loftus Versfeld on 17 May 2026.

What happens if the aggregate is level after 90 minutes? The away goals rule applies. Per CAF's rules for this season's final, extra time is not played if scores are level after the away-goals tiebreak — the match goes straight to a penalty shoot-out.

What is the best bet on this match? Our recommended tip is Mamelodi Sundowns to qualify @ ~1.55. Under 2.5 goals @ ~1.70 is the secondary play. 18+ only.

Where can I watch Mamelodi Sundowns vs AS FAR in South Africa? SuperSport broadcasts the CAF Champions League final live. Live in-play markets are available at Hollywoodbets, Betway South Africa and SuperSportBet.

Internal links

• Mamelodi Sundowns betting guide — full season profile, key players, recommended markets.
• All PSL match predictions — fresh previews for upcoming SA football fixtures.
• Best betting sites in South Africa — bookmaker comparison and welcome offers.

Odds correct at time of writing (snapshot 20 May 2026). T&Cs apply. 18+ only. Gambling involves financial risk — never bet more than you can afford to lose. All bookmakers listed are licensed by the National Gambling Board or a provincial gambling authority. If gambling is no longer fun, contact the National Responsible Gambling helpline on 0800 006 008 or SMS HELP to 076 675 0710.