South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns will defend a 1-0 lead over Moroccan hosts AS FAR Rabat on Sunday in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final, a match broadcast in over 100 countries.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is under pressure after losing the last two finals. He now leads the team into the most valuable club match in African football history.

The aggregate winners pocket a record $6 million, plus a chance to earn an additional $500,000 by winning the CAF Super Cup. Additionally, the champion is set for a minimum $9.5 million payout as a 2029 FIFA Club World Cup qualifier.

Sundowns were among four African entrants at the first edition of the world club championship in the US last year, returning home $12.5 million richer. They now seek another big payday.

Cardoso aims to avoid losing a third consecutive final. He failed with Esperance in 2024 and Sundowns last season. No coach has lost three straight finals since the competition debuted in 1964.

Sundowns have failed to win any domestic knockout competitions this season. A loss on Sunday would leave them without a trophy in all five competitions pursued.

AS FAR coach Alexandre Santos, also Portuguese, seeks his first African trophy. Santos is emotionless and stands still for long periods.

A Sundowns victory would end a run of nine straight Champions League titles for North African clubs, who have dominated since Sundowns triumphed in 2016.

Source: www.aljazeera.com