The Confederation of African Football has confirmed a change to the schedule for the first leg of the 2025–26 CAF Champions League final, following a request from Mamelodi Sundowns.
The adjustment affects the opening fixture between AS FAR of Morocco and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, widely regarded as the continent’s premier club competition showdown.
Originally set for Friday, 15 May, the first leg will now take place on Sunday, 17 May. The second leg remains unchanged and is scheduled for Sunday, 24 May in Rabat. The opening match will be held at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, while the return leg will be played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex, where AS FAR will host their opponents.
The decision to alter the date comes after Mamelodi Sundowns reportedly requested a 48-hour postponement. The South African club cited concerns related to attendance, scheduling, and preferred match conditions as key reasons for the change. A weekend fixture, they argued, would allow for greater crowd turnout and improved matchday logistics for such a high-profile continental event.
CAF has now approved that request, granting Sundowns the Sunday slot they sought. The governing body has yet to confirm the exact kick-off time for the fixture.
For AS FAR, the final presents an opportunity to secure only the second CAF Champions League title in the club’s history. Their sole triumph came in 1985, when they became the first Moroccan side to win Africa’s top club competition. The Rabat-based team will be hoping to repeat that success four decades later, this time with the added advantage of playing the decisive second leg at home.
AS FAR reached the final after overcoming fellow Moroccan club RS Berkane in the semi-finals. Their progression has fuelled optimism among supporters that another continental title is within reach.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns are chasing their second Champions League crown, having previously lifted the trophy in 2016. The Pretoria-based club has established itself as one of Africa’s most consistent performers in recent years and will be aiming to add another title to its record.
The revised schedule gives both teams a clearer path as they prepare for the two-legged final, with logistical considerations now aligned ahead of the decisive encounters.
The final also reflects the continued strength of Moroccan clubs in African competitions. Over the past decade, teams such as Wydad Casablanca, Raja Casablanca, and RS Berkane have regularly reached the latter stages, with AS FAR now continuing that trend.
