Pyramids survive tense finish to be crowned African champions
Pyramids defender Ahmed Samy (2R) celebrates scoring against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League final second leg in Cairo. (Khaled DESOUKI)
Pyramids of Egypt survived late pressure to beat Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa 2-1 in Cairo on Sunday and win the CAF Champions League for the first time.
Competing in the premier African club competition for only the second time, Pyramids triumphed 3-2 on aggregate after the first leg was drawn 1-1 in Pretoria last weekend.
Advertisement
Fiston Mayele scored after 23 minutes and Ahmed Samy on 56 minutes for the Egyptian outfit before Iqraam Rayners reduced the arrears in the 75th minute.
Listless for much of the match, Sundowns pressed in the closing stages, but the second goal that would have given them overall victory on away goals proved elusive.
Pleas by Pyramids, who normally attract crowds of just a few thousand, for support led to their 30,000-seat stadium being about half full for the second leg.
Both clubs made one change to the first-leg starting line-ups last weekend in Pretoria, where Walid el Karti headed an added-time equaliser after Lucas Ribeiro gave Sundowns an early second half lead.
Advertisement
Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurcic, a former Croatia midfielder, dropped forward Ibrahim Adel, scorer of six goals en route to the final, and promoted ex-English Premier League forward Ramadan Sobhi.
Sundowns' Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso left out Brazilian forward Arthur Sales and gave a starting place to midfielder Jayden Adams.
Cardoso is only the second coach after Argentine Oscar Fullone to reach consecutive Champions League finals with different clubs.
Fullone, who died in 2017 aged 78, guided ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast in 1998 and Raja Casablanca of Morocco the following year to victory in finals of the premier African club competition.
Advertisement
- Mayele scores -
Cardoso took Esperance of Tunisia to the 2024 final, which they lost to Al Ahly of Egypt with an own goal separating the sides.
A new Champions League trophy, unveiled before the first leg, was brought to the touchline at the 30 June Stadium by 48-year-old Nigerian legend and former Inter Milan and Arsenal star Nwankwo Kanu.
On a warm, windy first day, both teams constantly surrendered possession cheaply before Pyramids took the lead when Mayele scored his ninth goal of the African campaign.
A cross by Ahmed Atef was partially cleared by Grant Kekana and Mayele pounced to slam a snap low shot across goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into the far corner of the net.
Advertisement
Tensions rose and the Somali referee yellow-carded Atef and Aubrey Modiba after the duo had an angry clash, leading with their heads.
Sundowns squandered a great chance in first half added time when Tashreeq Matthews broke through only to see his shot parried by the left leg of goalkeeper Ahmed el Shenawy.
It was the only time the Pretoria outfit threatened in the opening half despite having much more possession.
Pyramids struck again when Mohamed Chibi placed a free kick into the goalmouth and central defender Samy headed powerfully into the net.
It was the first goal for Samy in the 16-match Champions League campaign and he became the 19th Pyramids player to score in the competition this season.
Sundowns replied when a weak headed clearance offered Rayners a chance and he fired past El Shenawy from close range.
dl/pb
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News24
41 minutes ago
- News24
Vusimusi ‘Cat' Matlala abandons bail bid, will remain in jail ahead of trial
Vusimusi Matlala has abandoned his bail bid in a brief court appearance. His wife, Tsakani, secured bail with strict conditions. They are facing charges linked to a botched hit. For secure, anonymous communication with News24's investigation team, click here. Tenderpreneur and criminally accused businessman Vusimusi 'Cat' Matlala abandoned his bid for bail in the Alexandra Magistrate's court on Friday and has traded his high-life for a prison cell while awaiting trial. Both Matlala and his socialite wife, Tsakani, face charges relating to the botched hit on actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane. Thobejane survived a hit-style shooting in Sandton in October 2023 when the car she was travelling in came under fire. According to a provisional charge sheet, Matlala faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering. Tsakani will face charges of money laundering and acting as an accessory after the fact. In a brief appearance, with the couple huddling together in the dock, the court heard that the State advocate and Matlala's legal team had found common ground. As such, by agreement, Tsakani was granted bail in the amount of R20 000 with strict conditions. She was told to hand in her passport, may not leave Gauteng, and may not contact witnesses in the matter, or the family members of other accused. This is a developing story.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Explosion reported near Catholic shrine in Uganda's capital
KAMPALA (Reuters) -An explosion was heard near a Roman Catholic shrine in Uganda's capital on Tuesday morning, Ugandan media reported, and the army said two armed people were "neutralized" in the Munyonyo suburb ahead of celebrations for the Martyrs Day public holiday. The blast killed at least two people, the Daily Monitor newspaper reported. NBS Television said the explosion was caused by a suspected bomb near the Munyonyo Martyrs' Shrine in the south of the city. A Ugandan army spokesman wrote on X that a "counter-terrorism unit this morning intercepted and neutralized two armed terrorists in Munyonyo, an upscale city suburb." NTV Uganda said that authorities had restricted public access to the area around the shrine after the explosion. "The security services are on heightened alert to ensure the Martyrs Day celebrations proceed without disruption," the army spokesman added.
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Woodside Files for Arbitration in Senegal Over Sangomar Oil Tax
Woodside Energy Group Ltd. opened an arbitration case against Senegal to resolve a tax dispute related to its Sangomar oil project. The company started producing oil last year from the offshore field, just as the government stepped up scrutiny of natural-resource contracts awarded to foreign investors to ensure they 'match Senegal's interests.'
