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Sundowns denied second African crown by Pyramids

football01 June 2025 19:00| © Backpage TXT
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Mamelodi Sundowns were denied a second CAF Champions League title after they succumbed 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate) to Pyramids FC in the second leg of the final, played at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday evening.

The Egyptian hosts established a 2-0 lead on the night via goals from Fiston Mayele and Ahmed Samy, but Iqraam Rayners’s strike with just over a quarter hour of regulation time to play made for a tense and dramatic ending to the second leg of the final.

The Brazilians needed just one more to level the scores at 3-3 on aggregate and take the title on the away goals rule, but Pyramids ultimately hung on to claim their first Champions League crown.

The teams cancelled each other out in a cagey first 20 minutes, but Pyramids soon capitalised on a mistake in defence from Sundowns to claim the lead midway through the first half.

Grant Kekana had a poor touch from a right wing cross, with the ball falling perfectly for Fiston Mayele – the Congolese striker hit a first-time shot which flashed beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to put the hosts in control.

Sundowns pushed and probed without any success in attack through the remainder of the first half, though they should have levelled the game deep in injury time before the break, as Lucas Ribeiro played Tashreeq Matthews in on goal, but the Brazilians forward was denied by a crucial save from Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed Al Shenawy.

Sundowns made a change at the start of the second half, swapping out Aubrey Modiba for Divine Lunga, but Pyramids made the next major impact on the match, doubling their lead in the 56th minute.

Mohamed Chibi played in a cross from a free kick on the right flank to pick out an unmarked Ahmed Samy, who scored from close range with an emphatic close-range diving header.

Sundowns responded with a triple change on 64 minutes, bringing on Thapelo Morena, Arthur Sales and Peter Shalulile to switch to a far more attacking formation.

In the 68th minute Teboho Mokoena almost pulled a goal back with a fine strike direct from a free kick, but Shenawy made another fine save to keep his side in charge of the tie.

The South African side pulled a goal back in the 76th minute when Iqraam Rayners latched onto a poor headed clearance and scored via a deflected shot, though they had to endure a VAR check as Shalulile appeared to be offside in the build-up, but was seemingly deemed not to be involved in the attacking move that resulted in the goal.

Shalulile had a wonderful chance to make it 2-2 in the dying minutes of regulation time, latching into a great assist from Ribeiro, but Al Shenawy made another excellent close range save – and the offside flag would have correctly ruled out the goal had the Namibian squeezed the ball home.

Sundowns kept up the pressure even through 10 minutes of injury time, but were unable to force a decisive equalising goal, leaving Pyramids to engage in wild celebrations upon the sound of the final whistle.

Pyramids have become the fourth Egyptian team to win the Champions League, joining compatriot clubs Al Ahly (12 titles), Zamalek (5) and Ismaily (1). They are also the first maiden winners of the competition since Sundowns in 2016.

Pyramids FC (1) 2 (Mayele 24’, Samy 56’)

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Rayners 75’)

Pyramids won 3-2 on aggregate

Pyramids: Shenawy, Chibi (Tawfik 88’), Marei, Samy, Hamdi, Lasheen, Toure (Gabr 90+2’), Atef, El Karti, Sobhi (Adel 78’), Mayele

Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Lebusa (Morena 64’), Modiba (Lunga 46’), Allende, Mokoena, Adams (Sales 64’), Matthews (Shalulile 64’), Ribeiro, Rayners (Mothiba 78’).

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITLE WINNERS:

- 12: Al Ahly (EGY)
- 5: TP Mazembe (COD), Zamalek (EGY)
- 4: Esperance (TUN)
- 3: Raja Casablanca, Wydad Casablanca (both MAR), Canon Yaounde (CMR), Hafia (GUI)
- 2: Entente Setif, JS Kabylie (both ALG), Asante Kotoko (GHA), Enyimba (NGR)
- 1: ASEC Mimosas, Stade Abidjan (both CIV), Club Africain, Etoile Sahel (both TUN), Ismaily, Pyramids (both EGY), Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates (both RSA), Oryx Douala, Union Douala (both CMR), CARA (CGO), FAR Rabat (MAR), Hearts of Oak (GHA),  Mouloudia Alger (ALG), V Club (COD).

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