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Pyramids edge Pirates to secure historic CAFCL final spot

football25 April 2025 20:30| © Backpage TXT
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Pyramids FC © backpagepix

Pyramids FC claimed a hard-fought 3-2 win over Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League semifinal second-leg clash at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Friday night.

Therefore, the Egyptian side progressed to the final for the first time in the club's history after winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate, and they will face Mamelodi Sundowns on a home and away. Pyramids will now take on Haras El Hodood in the Egyptian Premier League clash on 30 April.

The Buccaneers, on the other hand, crashed out of Africa's biggest club football tournament in the last four. The 1995 African champions will turn their attention to their Betway Premiership clash against Sekhukhune United which is scheduled for 30 April.

Both teams attacked with intent from the first whistle and it was the Buccaneers who broke the deadlock in the 41st minute when Relebohile Mofokeng netted with a volley to hand Pirates a 1-0 lead - his fifth goal in the Champions League.

However, the lead only lasted for five minutes as Pyramids striker Fiston Mayele levelled matters with a close-range finish after connecting with Mostafa Fathi's delightful cross and the score was 1-1 at halftime, with Pirates leading on the away goals rule.

The Buccaneers did not sit back and defend after the restart as they continued to surge forward, and they restored their lead in the 52nd minute. Mohau Nkota was afforded space and time to score with a thunderous shot to make it 2-1 to Pirates.

 

 

Pirates, once again, lost concentration at the back just after scoring and they were punished by inspired substitute Ramadan Sobhi, who netted with a powerful header to make it 2-2 in the 57th minute, with Mohamed Chibi providing the assist.

Pyramids then piled pressure on visitors' defence as they searched for that important winning goal and they got it when Mayele hit the back of the net in the 84th minute after Pirates had failed to clear a corner-kick, and Pyramids emerged as 3-2 winners.

Pyramids (1) 3 (Mayele 45'+1, 84', Sobhi 57')

Pirates (1) 2 (Mofokeng 41', Nkota 52')

Pyramids: Elshenawi, Saad, Sharafeldin (Gabr 90'+2), Chibi, Eldin, Seifeldin, Toure (Hamdi 82'), Lasheen (Awujoola 56'0, El-Karti (Sobhi 56'), Mayele (Tawfik 90'+2), Mohamed

Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen (Shandu 56'), Sibisi, Xoki (Radiopane 88'), Mbokazi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha (Dlamini 77'), Nkota (Maswanganyi 77'), Mofokeng, Makgopa (Mabasa 88').

 

 

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