CAF Champions League final: Pyramids FC finally ready to overcome Mamelodi Sundowns?
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
Pyramids Time: One Match away from History!
Pyramids are 90 minutes away from lifting their first-ever CAF Champions League trophy in club history. The Cairo-based side are making their second appearance in this competition.
Last year, they made their debut in this competition, and things didn't go as planned as they finished in fourth place in the group stages, resulting in elimination.
This time around, they have gone the extra mile and are in the finals. The first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns ended in a 1-1 draw. They will be hoping to get the job done in front of their home crowd.
What makes the home team dangerous?
Pyramids don't have a rich history when it comes to playing in the CAF Champions League compared to Sundowns. The Egyptian side has only made two appearances in this competition. Their debut was in the 2023-24 season. They failed to make it out of the group stages as they finished in fourth place in Group A.
This season, they are on the brink of making history by winning their first-ever continental trophy in club history. It's all thanks to their home record in this competition that sees them in the CAF Champions League final.
They are not to be messed with when playing at the 30 June Stadium, winning seven straight matches in the Champions League. However, that's just the tip of the iceberg when considering results across all competitions. At this venue, they are unbeaten in 23 home games, recording 19 wins and 4 draws. You will have to go back to 22 July 2024, for their last home defeat, which came at the hands of Al Ahly.
Mamelodi Sundowns: The Challengers
Mamelodi Sundowns are the challengers taking on Pyramids in the second leg of the CAF Champions League. This is a team based in Pretoria, South Africa. They have also made a name for themselves on the continental stage by positioning themselves as a juggernaut.
Masandawana have made 17 appearances in the CAF Champions League. During this period, they reached the finals three times, which is more than any South African club has done. Orlando Pirates sits at two Champions League final appearances, while Kaizer Chiefs has made it just once.
The last time they lifted the trophy in this competition was in 2016 when they beat Egyptian club Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate. This was their maiden continental trophy, a feat Pyramids hopes to achieve tonight under the floodlights of the 30 June Stadium. Success in the second leg could see the visitors add a second CAF Champions League silverware to their trophy cabinet.
What makes the visitors dangerous?
Mamelodi Sundowns are a strong team, and this has been evident in their performances against Egyptian teams, where they have gone unbeaten in 10 games, recording four wins and six draws.
They are not a team that can be undermined, no matter the occasion or opponent they are facing. This was evident in their performance against Al Ahly. They eliminated the current and 12-time champions in the semifinal thanks to the away goal rule.
However, it doesn't stop there! Digging deeper into their performance against Egyptian teams, they have come out on top as an unstoppable force. There have been a total of 10 meetings, and during this period they won four and drew six. So it's not clear as mud that the South African giants hold a psychological edge over their opponents heading into this clash.
Why is this final important?
Pyramids have never won a CAF Champions League trophy, and doing so could mark their first-ever title. Apart from that, they could become the fourth Egyptian club to win this competition alongside Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily.
For Sundowns, they are eyeing what could be a second star. Victory here will mark their second title in this competition since their triumph in 2016, whereas a loss could put them in the history books as the first South African club to lose two finals.
Lastly, the winner of this final will earn a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. This is a great way for either club to gain international exposure.
