Sundowns vs Moroccan clubs: the surprise numbers ahead of the Champions League final

The first leg of the tie will be hosted by Sundowns on May 17, followed by the return match in Rabat one week afterwards.

Not until 2017 did the Brazilians encounter Moroccan teams in CAF interclub competitions, yet since that time meetings have become frequent, totalling 18 encounters, which includes two against AS FAR during the group stages of last year’s event.

Across these 18 prior matches with Moroccan sides, Sundowns boast five victories, six losses, and seven stalemates. They netted 14 goals while allowing an equal amount, indicating a closely balanced rivalry.

Record against AS FAR

Their sole prior encounters with the final adversaries occurred recently, within the 2024/25 group stages. This provides ample recent footage for both teams to analyse.

Each match concluded at 1-1. In Rabat, Iqraam Rayners put Sundowns ahead in the latter part of the second half, but Mohamed Hrimat levelled for AS FAR to secure the draw.

The return game in Pretoria saw Peter Shalulile open the scoring for Sundowns early, though El Amine Zouhzouh restored parity for the away side with seven minutes remaining.

Record in the Champions League

In the Champions League, Sundowns have faced Moroccan teams 16 times, securing four triumphs, suffering five defeats, and drawing seven. They scored 11 goals and let in 12.

Of these, twelve were versus Wydad Casablanca, two against AS FAR, and two more with Raja Casablanca during the 2024/25 group phase.

The remaining two games against Moroccan opponents featured in the African Football League final, where Sundowns overcame Wydad 3-2 overall, each side winning their home fixture.

Never lost at home, never won away

Sundowns remain unbeaten in home games against Moroccan rivals, yet they have yet to claim a CAF interclub victory on Moroccan soil.

From nine prior home outings, they hold five wins and four draws, with 11 goals scored and five conceded.

On nine previous trips to North Africa, results include three draws alongside six losses, managing three goals for and nine against.

Thus, they aim to carry an advantage into the Rabat return leg.

Record in knockout ties

In CAF interclub knockout ties versus Moroccan clubs, Sundowns have prevailed in just one of four attempts.

All four were against Wydad, starting with a 2017 quarter-final that the Moroccans took via penalties.

The teams reconvened in the 2018/19 semi-finals, where Wydad edged a 2-1 aggregate win.

They met again in the 2022/23 semi-finals, and Wydad advanced once more, this time on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate.

Sundowns’ lone successful two-legged knockout was the 2023 African Football League final against Wydad, where a 2-1 away defeat was overturned by a 2-0 home victory.

Clean sheets and failed to score

Against Moroccan teams in 18 matches, Sundowns kept clean sheets in seven, but drew blanks in an identical number.

Interestingly, both sides found the net in just seven of those games, equating to 39% of encounters.

The frequent outcome is a 1-0 Sundowns defeat, occurring four times, trailed by 1-0 Sundowns wins, 0-0 draws, and 1-1 results, each happening three times.

A two-goal margin has arisen only once, Sundowns’ second-leg triumph in the African Football League final, and never in Champions League play.