In a thrilling final held at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium on Sunday, Egypt’s Pyramids FC overcame South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final to win the prestigious continental title for the first time. The victory saw them secure a 3-2 aggregate win after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria last weekend.

A Historic Victory for Pyramids FC

The match was tense, as both teams fought fiercely for supremacy. Pyramids’ striker Fiston Mayele opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, followed by a powerful header from central defender Ahmed Samy in the 56th minute. Despite Sundowns’ late surge, sparked by Iqraam Rayners’ goal in the 75th minute, they couldn’t find the equalizer that would have given them the advantage on away goals.

Pyramids’ coach, Krunoslav Jurcic, made significant tactical adjustments, including dropping Ibrahim Adel, who had been pivotal in the team’s journey to the final, and bringing in former English Premier League forward Ramadan Sobhi. Sundowns’ Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, meanwhile, left out Brazilian forward Arthur Sales in favor of midfielder Jayden Adams.

Celebrations and Tensions at the 30 June Stadium

The scene was electric as Pyramids’ players, led by captain Ahmed Samy, lifted the Champions League trophy amidst cheers from their fans. While the stadium was only half-full due to Pyramids’ typically modest fanbase, the atmosphere was electric with supporters filling the stands for a historic moment.

Earlier in the match, Sundowns’ struggles were evident as they squandered several chances, including a missed opportunity in first-half injury time when Tashreeq Matthews’ shot was denied by Pyramids’ goalkeeper Ahmed el Shenawy. Despite having more possession, Sundowns’ efforts were largely stifled by Pyramids’ solid defensive setup.

The Road to Glory

For Pyramids, this victory marked the pinnacle of a remarkable journey, as they had only previously competed in the CAF Champions League once before. Their triumph is not only a testament to their growing strength in African club football but also to the leadership of Krunoslav Jurcic, who managed to secure a major continental trophy in just his second season at the club.

Sundowns, on the other hand, despite the disappointment of losing, fought valiantly throughout the campaign, with coach Cardoso becoming only the second coach in history to reach consecutive Champions League finals with different clubs. The first such coach was the late Argentine Oscar Fullone, who guided ASEC Mimosas and Raja Casablanca to victory in the 1990s.

The match also featured an emotional touch with former Nigerian football star, Nwankwo Kanu, unveiling a new CAF Champions League trophy before the first leg. Kanu, a 48-year-old legend with stints at Inter Milan and Arsenal, helped add glamour to the historic occasion.

Key Moments from the Final

• Mayele’s first-half strike was a product of quick reflexes after Ahmed Atef’s cross was partially cleared by Sundowns’ defender Grant Kekana.
• Samy’s header in the 56th minute, assisted by a well-executed free kick from Mohamed Chibi, was his first goal in the tournament and solidified Pyramids’ lead.
• Sundowns’ Rayners made it 2-1 in the 75th minute, capitalizing on a weak clearance, but they could not find a way to break through in the final stages.

Pyramids’ victory has sent ripples across African football, with many now viewing them as one of the continent’s rising giants. As they lift their first-ever CAF Champions League trophy, the future looks bright for the Egyptian side.