Thato Moeng in Rabat:
Witness to Sundowns’ Second Star
Author: John AliuBorn and raised in Pretoria (Mabopane), Thato Moeng has long been a familiar face to South African sport fanatics since her days at YFM and 5FM before joining Supersport. She has become a more familiar face to Mamelodi Sundowns supporters through her involvement in the Club’s digital magazine and interactive supporter features, including Celebrity-versus-Supporter trivia.In 2026, she experienced one of Sundowns’ defining moments— not from a studio or screen, but from inside the stadium in Rabat as Sundowns claimed their long-awaited second CAF Champions League star.

Being in Morocco gave her a rare behind-the-scenes perspective of a Club preparing for history. Even before the final, she was struck by the scale of commitment and focus within the squad environment.

“It was an honour to be with the Club in Rabat. Seeing the team during preparation was something special, even though they were based about an hour and a half outside the city bustle in Zaida. I travelled with legendary journalist Mark Gleeson and during the drive, we spoke about how far Mamelodi Sundowns have come over the years, from a strong domestic side to a true continental force.”

However, as match day arrived, the atmosphere shifted entirely. What she witnessed was a level of intensity and focus that left a lasting impression.
“When match day came, everything changed. It was completely business-like. I have never seen such focus and readiness from any team in my life. There was no noise, no distraction, just pure concentration in every movement. You could feel that everyone understood exactly what was at stake and what it meant to the Club, the badge and the supporters back home. I am truly grateful I got to witness them creating history.”

Inside the stadium, the experience became even more unforgettable. The tension, the crowd, and the energy of a continental final created an atmosphere unlike anything she had ever encountered.

“I spent time walking around the stadium just to take it all in. I had never seen ultras like that before in my life. The energy was intense, almost overwhelming. At one point, I walked toward the tunnel just before Teboho Mokoena scored and saw Coach Steve Komphela acknowledging the fans before reacting as the goal went in. It felt like everything was building toward something special.”

Then came the turning point of the match, a moment that changed the emotional rhythm of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
“When Tebza scored the equaliser, everything shifted. I was capturing it all and could feel the momentum swing instantly. There was a silence I had never experienced before. It was incredible to witness such a dramatic change in real time.”

After the final whistle, celebration followed, but not in the expected chaotic manner. Instead, there was a quieter, more reflective joy, shaped by the magnitude of what had just been achieved.

“The trophy celebration was beautiful, but very calm. The stadium had already emptied, so it felt intimate in a way. Seeing the faces of players like Themba Zwane, Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena, you could see pure joy and relief. It felt like years of pressure had finally been lifted off their shoulders.”

Even in that moment, she sensed that the significance of the victory had not yet fully sunk in.
“Some people were still in shock. I think the realisation came the next day. When I returned to my hotel room and looked out at the Rabat skyline, I just sat there in awe of everything I had witnessed. It did not feel real.”

Beyond the match itself, what stood out most for Moeng was the reaction to Sundowns beyond South African borders. In Morocco, the respect for the Club was evident, reinforcing their growing continental reputation.

“At the airport in Paris, when we were leaving (in transit), people stopped us just to talk about South African football. It made me realise that Masandawana, and any other team in continental competitions, is not only representing Mzansi, but also the SADC region and African football as a whole. People in North Africa recognise the Club even more now. Sundowns are no longer just a national giant; they are known across the Continent.”

She also turned her attention to the national team and South Africa’s potential on the global stage ahead of the World Cup, expressing cautious optimism about what lies ahead.

“As fans of Bafana Bafana, we would love to see them go far, at least to reach the level of teams like Ghana, who reached the quarter-finals in 2010, or Morocco at the last tournament. Personally, I would love to see them reach the quarter-finals and go beyond. That would be a huge moment for South African football.”

When asked about her broader World Cup predictions, she did not hesitate to share her thoughts with a bold edge.

“I think the Netherlands might surprise a few people and go all the way. Argentina might struggle to repeat its success, and I am not sure it will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s time either. But I always feel like an outsider is waiting to break through, and that is what makes football so exciting.”
From Pretoria to Rabat, from the studios to pitchside, from supporter engagement to witnessing continental triumph firsthand, Thato Moeng experienced Mamelodi Sundowns’ second star not as a distant observer, but as someone immersed in the emotion, tension and history of the moment. For her, it was more than a final; it was a front-row seat to legacy being written.