Expert Shares Thoughts on Penalties Awarded Against Mamelodi Sundowns in CAF Champions League Final

Expert Shares Thoughts on Penalties Awarded Against Mamelodi Sundowns in CAF Champions League Final

  • Mamelodi Sundowns have been crowned the CAF Champions League champions this season after defeating AS FAR in the final
  • The match between the Brazilians and the Moroccan giants came with controversial moments as the home side was awarded two penalties
  • A football analyst speaking with Briefly News aired his views on the two penalty calls by the centre referee and the Video Assistant Referees)

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Two penalties were awarded against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR Rabat, but they ended up winning in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Keanu Cupido, Reda Slim, CAF Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR.
Keanu Cupido tackles AS FAR's Moroccan forward Reda Slim during the CAF Champions League final first leg football match between Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR. Photo: Phill Magakoe
Source: Getty Images

South African international Teboho Mokoena scored in the added time of the first half to give the Brazilians the deserved 2-1 win on aggregate against the Moroccan giants. The Brazilians won the first last week 1-0 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, courtesy of a sublime free-kick from Aubrey Modiba in the second half.

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The win for the Brazilians set a new record and also repaid them after losing in the final of the same competition last season against Egyptian side Pyramids FC.

Analysis of two penalties awarded against Sundowns

Football analyst Themba Modise, in an exclusive chat with Briefly News, shared his views on the two penalties awarded against the Brazilians in the final.

AS FAR Rabat were awarded two penalties, one each in both halves. The first penalty was a foul by Lunga, and Mohamed Hrimat stepped up to convert it, but the second penalty, the Moroccan midfielder failed to find the back of the net as Ronwen Williams was equal to the task.

"To be honest, I think both penalties were correct calls from the referee, especially the first one," he said.
"Lunga was at fault for the first one. He should be cautious of his environment when he's in the box because any contact in the box would definitely result in a penalty for the opponent.
"Luck was on Sundowns side today because if the second penalty had gone in, the home side would've been motivated to get the second goal they needed to win the title, but it's good that we are champions of Africa once again."

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What's next for Mamelodi Sundowns?

Mamelodi Sundowns lost their dominance in the Betway Premiership this season, with Abdeslam Ouaddou's Orlando Pirates winning the Betway Premiership.

Mamelodi Sundowns, CAF Champions League, AS FAR Rabat.
Mamelodi Sundowns win the 2025-26 CAF Champions League after beating AS FAR Rabat in the final. Photo: CAF
Source: Twitter

The Brazilians would now switch focus to bringing in new quality players and let go of those who are surplus to requirements during the summer transfer window.

They would be looking out for players who good performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they now have enough money to spend in the summer after receiving a huge amount of money from CAF for winning the CAF Champions League.

Chiefs, Pirates, Sundowns battle for SA forward

Briefly News also reported that Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are in a transfer battle as they are all interested in snapping up a South African forward.

The three PSL giants were said to be looking for the possibility of signing the winger before the winter transfer window closes.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Raphael Abiola avatar

Raphael Abiola (Sports editor) Raphael Abiola is a Nigerian Sports Journalist with over seven years of experience. He obtained a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2015. Raphael previously worked as a football editor at Stakegains (2016-2018) and a content editor with Opera News Nigeria (2018-2023). Raphael then worked as an Editor for the Local Desk at Sports Brief (2023-2024). Reach him via email at raphael.abiola@briefly.co.za.