Pyramids, Sundowns set for another tense clash

by Graeme Jackson

Friday May 30, 2025. 15:00

Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns are set to have another tense clash when they meet in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final, set for the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on the evening of Sunday 1 June 2025.

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.

“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,” said Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurisic.

“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.”

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.

“We need mental strength because everything is still open. Pyramids knows that too,” said Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso.

“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. Heroes emerge in difficult times – it’s easy to become a hero in good times.”

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.