CAF Champions League final finely poised as coaches eye second-leg showdown
Mamelodi Sundowns' defence swamped Fiston Mayele of Pyramids during the first leg of teh CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
The CAF Champions League final is hanging on a knife-edge, and the coaches of the two protagonists are in agreement that nothing can be taken for granted just yet.
Even with the away goal advantage they gained from that last-minute equaliser to draw 1–1 with Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurčić was not prepared to consider his team champions just yet.
The Egyptian side need only prevent Sundowns from scoring in the second leg, which they will host on Sunday, to be crowned continental champions for the first time. But the Croatian knows better than to count his chickens before they've hatched.
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'This is only the first half,' he said in the post-match media conference. 'We still have one more match to play, and it will be a very difficult match because we know how well Sundowns play away from home.'
The South African champions were disappointed to have conceded an away goal — particularly so late in the game — as Walid scored deep into the four minutes added for stoppages. But coach Miguel Cardoso believes his team has what it takes to get a result away from home, having already triumphed on the road at both Espérance and Al Ahly en route to the final of Africa's premier club competition.
'We have all the capacity and strength to go there and fight with them,' Cardoso said after the match.
'I told you it would be a very difficult match. I knew the character of the Pyramids players. I also know that we can rise and stand until the end because that's what we do — it's an opportunity to show our character.'
Shuga, Vila and DJ Naves unpack the first leg draw, from standout performances to tactical adjustments that shifted momentum. 🙌
Catch the brand new episode now 📲 https://t.co/px8HUrno1d#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/46RPOwdjRe — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 25, 2025
That character has been evident throughout the season as Sundowns returned to the final for the first time since being crowned champions in 2016. Their victories over Espérance and Al Ahly in the quarter-finals and semi-finals underscored the team's growth in the competition and give them reason to be confident ahead of the decisive clash in Cairo.
'We were in negative situations in the past and we have overcome them,' Cardoso said, alluding to the team's resilience and belief in their ability to turn the situation around.
But they will come up against a side equally high on self-belief.
'I am very happy, and congratulations to my team and the team of Sundowns — I think we showed great football for the fans,' said Jurčić.
'We have shown once again, as we have done before in the Champions League, that we have excellent character and can come back after a negative result. Sundowns scored, and we came back. I am happy — and this is only the first half.'
Thank you, Masandawana, for backing us all season. Your support means everything. We're ready to finish strong. Let's stay united and bring that passion right through to the end.👆#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/EhpWiDp3J9 — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 25, 2025
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