Women’s Champions League title a step too FAR for Sundowns, as Rabat lift trophy

Share current article via EmailShare current article via FacebookShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInMarc StrydomDigital Sports Editor, reporting from Johannesburg

Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandAS FAR Rabat goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi gets up to win the ball from Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ronnel Donnelly in 2026 Caf Women’s Champions League final at Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt on Sunday. Picture: Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix AS FAR Rabat put in a powerful display to beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 and lift the trophy as the Moroccan outfit were crowned 2026 Caf Women’s Champions League winners in Ismailia, Egypt on Sunday.

Playing in their fourth final, there was to be no third title in the competition for Sundowns, the champions of 2021 and 2023 and runners-up in 2022.

FAR took the early lead via Imane Touriss’s 23rd-minute opener at Suez Canal Stadium. Sundowns equalised quickly, in the 25th, via Refilwe Tholakele’s strike. Hiba Youssoufi put the Moroccan club ahead again in the 37th.

Touriss completed her brace and made the game all but safe in the 77th.

THE FULL-TIME FEELING! This is what making history feels like.. ❤️‍🔥#CAFWCL2026 pic.twitter.com/GDiV8G0OPB

Coach Godfrey Sapula’s Banyana Ba Style came out on the front foot. From a Downs free-kick early on from deep, big centreback Aziza Rabbah was unbalanced and an attempted clearing header looped onto FAR goalkeeper Khadija Errmichi’s top netting.

But the Moroccan outfit were strong and forceful on the ball and as they got into their stride they had Downs backpedalling.

It was a ball given away just outside the Pretoria club’s box by defensive midfielder Kholosa Biyana that allowed Touriss to advance a few steps and produce a quality low finish past keeper Andile Dlamini.

Sundowns struck back almost immediately. Refilwe Tholakele earned a throw-in near the goal-line on the left. It was worked back to the tricky forward, who smacked in a beauty from a narrow angle past Errmichi.

THE ASSIST. THE FINISH. THE FINAL WORD. Tagnaout sets up Touriss to seal the title for AS FAR! 🔴🏆#CAFWCL2026 pic.twitter.com/dSEcLA6GBa

But FAR went to the break a goal up. From another strong build-up dangerous winger Fatima Tagnaout was in space on the left and squared, Ghizlane Chebbak could not control and the ball fell at the feet of Youssoufi whose shot took a deflection past Dlamini.

Downs pushed hard for another equaliser back from the change rooms, but found FAR’s excellently organised defensive structure too rigid and disciplined to break down.

Then the Moroccan club put the matter beyond doubt with the sucker punch near the end.

A ball knocked up by wingback Hiba Youssoufi found Tagnaout in space on the right but with work to do as the winger cut inside and slipped a pass to Touriss to finish past Dlamini.

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