Mamelodi Sundowns' quest to make history ended in bitter disappointment as the South African giants fell 3-1 to Moroccan powerhouse AS FAR Rabat in the CAF Women's Champions League final in Ismailia, Egypt, on Sunday.
The Brazilians arrived in Egypt chasing a record-breaking third continental crown, but instead watched AS FAR become the first club to successfully defend the title and claim a third CAF Women's Champions League trophy of their own.
While Sundowns left with US$400 000 in prize money, the Moroccans pocketed the US$600 000 winners' cheque and secured a place in the second round of the FIFA Women's Champions Cup 2027, where a December showdown against North Korea's Naegohyang Women's FC awaits.
AS FAR struck first midway through the opening half when Imane Touriss unleashed a long-range effort that took a cruel deflection beyond veteran goalkeeper Andile Dlamini. Sundowns responded almost immediately, with Botswana striker Refilwe Tholakele producing a moment of brilliance as she curled home a stunning equaliser from a tight angle just two minutes later.
But defensive frailties once again proved costly for the South African champions. Hiba Youssoufi restored AS FAR's lead before the break after being afforded too much space inside the area, her effort taking another deflection on its way past the helpless Dlamini.
Desperate to claw their way back into the contest, Sundowns pushed forward after the interval but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Their hopes were finally extinguished when Touriss completed her brace, finishing off a devastating counterattack after excellent work by Fatima Tagnaout down the right flank.
The defeat also denied Sundowns the chance to avenge their painful 4-0 loss to AS FAR in the 2022 final, as the Moroccan giants once again proved to be the Tshwane side's continental nemesis on the biggest stage.