Sundowns look to upset the odds in Cairo

Mamelodi Sundowns will look to upset the odds when they face hosts Pyramids FC for the second leg of the CAF Champions League final, set for the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on the evening of 1 June 2025. Kick-off is at 7pm CAT.

Match background

Sundowns appeared to be in control of the tie as they headed into the dying moments of the first-leg match at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium this past Saturday, holding a 1-0 lead thanks to a fine strike from Lucas Ribeiro.

However, Pyramids’ Walid El Karti scored a last-gasp equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw and put the Egyptian side in a highly favourable position: they have the advantage of an away goal in their pocket, and will have home advantage for the decisive second leg.

The hosts need only keep a clean sheet to guarantee their first continental triumph, while Sundowns will need to at least cancel out that away goal with one of their own to have a shot at winning their second Champions League title.

Essentially a 0-0 draw or win for Pyramids hands the Egyptian side glory, while the visitors need a 2-2 (or higher scoring) draw or win to secure the prize. A 1-1 draw would send the final to penalties.

What the teams are saying

Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurisic on his team’s position in the tie:

“I am very proud of my team's performance against a big team like Sundowns, which has a lot of experience in the CAF Champions League.

“We played a very strong match and were the better team for most of it. If it weren't for bad luck, we would have scored many more goals.”

He added, “In the end, we haven't achieved anything yet. What happened is that we only finished the first half, and we have a second half in Egypt in just a week. We must win to secure the precious title.”

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso believes his side still has a strong chance of winning the final:

“We need mental strength because everything is still open. Pyramids knows that too. The better team will win the return leg, and we will play the same way we play every match. We must show the greatest desire.”

He added, “We must score at least one goal, and even if Pyramids scores, we will continue to search for a draw,” Cardoso added. “Heroes emerge in difficult times – it’s easy to become a hero in good times.”

Key players

Pyramids FC – Blati Toure

After a powerhouse performance in midfield in the first leg, Blati Toure will look for another dominant showing in the ‘engine room’ to ensure Pyramids are able to control the match and remain on course for their first Champions League title.

Mamelodi Sundowns – Iqraam Rayners

With Mamelodi Sundowns needing at least one goal to keep alive their hopes of a second continental triumph, the pressure will fall on Iqraam Rayners as the spearhead in attack to try and find the back of the net and cancel out the hosts’ away-goal advantage.

Head-to-head

This will be the fourth meeting between the two clubs. Aside from the first leg of this season’s final, they also faced each other in the 2023-24 group stage, drawing 0-0 in Pretoria before Sundowns won 1-0 in Cairo thanks to a goal by Teboho Mokoena.

Historically, this is the fifth Champions League final between Egyptian and South African clubs. Egyptian sides have won three of the previous four – though the only exception saw Sundowns defeat Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate in the 2016 edition.