AS FAR will attempt to take a major step toward ending a four-decade wait for continental glory when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the 2025-26 CAF Champions League final in Tshwane, Pretoria.
The Moroccan side, commonly known as the Royal Army, enter the historic encounter seeking a positive result away from home before next week’s decisive return leg in Rabat.
The final presents AS FAR with an opportunity to reclaim the African title for the first time since 1985, when the club became the first Moroccan team to win the African Cup of Champions Clubs.
Beyond continental prestige, the stakes surrounding the final are also significant on the global stage. The winner is guaranteed qualification for the next FIFA Club Confederations Cup as well as a place at the next Club World Cup, increasing both the sporting and financial importance of the contest.
AS FAR arrive in the final after an impressive campaign in which they overcame several major opponents across Africa. Led by Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos, the Moroccan club have built a reputation for tactical discipline, defensive organisation and resilience away from home.
The team first progressed through difficult qualifying rounds after finishing second behind RS Berkane in last season’s domestic league standings.
AS FAR defeated Real de Banjul before overcoming Horoya AC, winning both ties with an identical aggregate score of 4-1.
The Moroccan side continued to impress during the group stage, particularly against African giants Al Ahly SC. AS FAR held the record 12-time champions to a 1-1 draw in Rabat before earning a goalless draw in Cairo, results that secured second place in Group B and confirmed their credentials as serious contenders.
Their quarter-final victory over Pyramids FC further strengthened belief within the squad. After a 1-1 draw in Rabat, AS FAR travelled to Cairo and secured a dramatic 2-1 victory thanks to a decisive goal from captain Mohamed Rabie Harimat.
The semi-final then produced an all-Moroccan clash against RS Berkane. AS FAR won the first leg 2-0 through goals from Ahmed Hammoudan and Khalid Ait Warkhan before surviving a 1-0 defeat in the return leg to reach the final on aggregate.
As they prepare to face Sundowns, much of AS FAR’s hopes are expected to depend on controlling midfield battles. Captain Harimat has emerged as one of the team’s most influential players, linking defence and attack while helping organise the side’s pressing structure.
The Moroccan club are expected to rely on aggressive pressing and compact organisation to disrupt Sundowns’ possession-based style, which is built around quick passing and fluid movement.
Another factor viewed as crucial is the team’s physical and tactical consistency throughout the campaign. Careful squad rotation in recent matches has reportedly left the players in strong condition ahead of the final, while also giving Santos tactical flexibility.
AS FAR’s immediate objective appears clear — leave South Africa with a result that preserves momentum before the decisive second leg at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
A draw or narrow victory away from home would place the Moroccan club in a strong position before what is expected to be an intense atmosphere in front of their supporters next week.
After a long journey through qualifying rounds, group-stage battles and knockout victories, AS FAR now stand just two matches away from reclaiming the African crown that has eluded them for nearly 40 years.
