Santos proud of AS FAR gutsy showing despite close defeat to Sundowns

Alexandre Santos expressed pride in his AS FAR side despite their narrow 2-1 aggregate defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final in Rabat on Sunday evening.

The Moroccan giants came agonisingly close to securing a second continental crown more than four decades after their historic maiden triumph, but ultimately fell short against a determined Sundowns outfit who lifted the title for the second time in ten years.

Reflecting on the campaign and the final outcome, Santos acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on the title but praised his players for their resilience and commitment throughout the competition.

“We are the second best team this season in the Champions League. Of course it is not enough for us and our fans, but I think we did very well against a very strong team,” said Santos.

“We pushed them and created a lot of opportunities. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal, but we remained in character and tried to score. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.”

AS FAR fought bravely over the two legs and pushed Sundowns until the final whistle in Rabat, earning praise for their disciplined performances throughout the tournament.

The Portuguese tactician also congratulated the newly crowned African champions while applauding the spirit shown by his squad and the unwavering backing from the club’s supporters.

“Unlucky for the club and congratulations to Sundowns. They showed they are a good team, but we also stood our ground in a strong competition like the Champions League,” he added.

“I am proud of these players and our supporters. They can be proud of the work put in by this team in a very tough competition.”

Despite the heartbreak, AS FAR’s run to the final marked one of the club’s strongest continental campaigns in recent history, rekindling hopes of a return to the summit of African club football.