Divine Lunga’s decisive moment: Sundowns chase Champions League crown

Warriors star Divine Lunga is facing a career-defining moment at Mamelodi Sundowns, with hopes of finally bagging a continental medal as they prepare for the two-legged 2025/26 CAF Champions League final against AS FAR.

The serial Betway Premiership winners host the Moroccan side in the first leg of the final at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday. For the return leg, will travel to Morocco for a date at Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium on 24 May.

Since clinching their maiden Champions League title in 2016, Sundowns have been chasing this trophy without success. Their most stinging agony was arguably felt last season when they lost to Pyramids FC in the final.

Last time out, left-back, Lunga was part of the squad that suffered the agonising defeat to the Egyptian giants.  

LUNGA HOPING TO EMULATE KHAMA BILLIAT

This time around, they are hoping not to be bridesmaids, and Lunga hopes for his first continental medal. Khama Billiat was the last Zimbabwean to win this title, as a Sundowns player under Pitso Mosimane.

This season, Lunga has made 20 appearances across all competitions, six of which were in the CAF Champions League. He has no goals or assists to his name.

Sundowns booked a return to the continental final after falling short against Pyramids FC in the 2025 final. Their campaign began with a dominant qualifying-round victory over Remo Stars, before progressing from a difficult Group C as runners-up behind Al Hilal.

They also came through challenging fixtures against MC Alger and Saint-Éloi Lupopo. The South African giants head into the showdown with impressive home form and attacking momentum, while the Moroccan side arrive with one of the competition’s strongest defensive records this season.

Sundowns are targeting a second continental crown after their 2016 triumph, while AS FAR is chasing a first CAF Champions League title since 1985 in what is only the club’s third appearance in the competition.

Both teams know each other well after two tightly contested 1-1 draws during last season’s group stage meetings, suggesting another evenly balanced encounter.

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