CAF Women’s Champions League: AS FAR make history with record third continental crown after defeating Sundowns

By Angu Lesley

Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon

Morocco’s AS FAR have cemented their place among the greatest clubs in African women’s football after defeating South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League final at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, on Sunday, November 15.

An impressive brace from Imane Touriss and another goal from Hiba Youssoufi handed the Moroccan champions a historic victory, allowing them to successfully defend the title they won in 2025 and become the first club to lift the competition’s trophy three times.

The victory is historic on several fronts. AS FAR have now moved ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns to become the most successful club in the history of the competition, with three titles since its introduction in 2021. More significantly, they have become the first team to successfully defend the CAF Women’s Champions League crown, having previously seen every defending champion fail to retain the trophy.

The two continental heavyweights entered Sunday’s final level on two titles apiece, making the encounter a battle for outright supremacy in African women’s club football. Sundowns had lifted the inaugural trophy in 2021 before adding a second in 2023, while AS FAR claimed their maiden crown in 2022 and returned to the summit in 2025.

AS FAR, coached by Hicham El Idrissi, made their intentions clear despite Sundowns initially showing attacking ambition. The Moroccan side broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Imane Touriss produced an impressive long-range effort to beat veteran goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

Sundowns responded almost immediately. Two minutes after falling behind, Botswana international Refilwe Tholakele produced an excellent finish from a tight angle to restore parity for the South Africans and bring the contest back to life.

However, AS FAR demonstrated the composure and experience that have made them a dominant force on the continent. Hiba Youssoufi restored their advantage in the 38th minute, putting the Moroccan side 2-1 ahead before the interval. Her goal proved particularly important as Sundowns went into the second half needing to find another response.

The South Africans pushed for an equaliser after the restart but struggled to break down an organised AS FAR defence. With 13 minutes remaining, Touriss delivered the decisive blow, completing her brace in the 77th minute after a dangerous attacking move involving Moroccan star Fatima Tagnaout. The third goal effectively ended Sundowns’ hopes of staging another comeback.

Touriss’ performance was the highlight of an impressive individual campaign. She finished the tournament with four goals to claim the Golden Boot, while AS FAR captain Ghizlane Chebbak was named Player of the Tournament. Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi also received the Golden Glove award, underlining the Moroccan club’s dominance across the competition’s individual honours.

The road to the final had not been entirely straightforward for AS FAR. They suffered an opening-match defeat against Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim Ladies but recovered to progress through the group stage before eliminating Cameroon’s Lekié Football Filles 1-0 in the semi-finals. Their opponents, Sundowns, reached the final after an emphatic 4-1 semi-final victory over Kawempe, with Ronnel Donnelly scoring a hat-trick.

Sunday’s encounter was also a repeat of the 2022 final, when AS FAR defeated Sundowns 4-0 in Rabat to secure their first continental championship. The South Africans had an opportunity to avenge that defeat and reclaim their position at the summit, but the Moroccan side once again proved too strong on the biggest stage.

The rivalry between the two clubs has become one of the defining stories of the competition. At least one of AS FAR or Sundowns has featured in every CAF Women’s Champions League final since the tournament’s establishment, reflecting the consistency and investment both sides have brought to women’s club football in Africa.

Beyond the historical significance, the triumph comes with substantial financial and international rewards. AS FAR will pocket US$600,000 in prize money, while securing qualification for the second round of the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. They are scheduled to face North Korean outfit Naegohyang WFC in December 2026, with a victory offering them an opportunity to advance towards the final phase of the competition in Miami, United States, in January 2027.

For Mamelodi Sundowns, the defeat represents a missed opportunity to become three-time champions and reclaim the continental crown. They will instead settle for the runners-up prize of US$400,000.

For AS FAR, however, this is much more than another trophy. It is confirmation of a remarkable period of consistency, a reward for sustained investment in women’s football and another statement of Morocco’s growing influence on the continental game.

Three continental crowns, two consecutive championships and a place in African football history: AS FAR have set a new standard for women’s club football on the continent.