Pyramids aim to make Egypt first nation with four CAF Champions League titles
Egypt could become the first country in African football history to have four different clubs crowned continental champions, as Pyramids FC prepare for a decisive second-leg showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
The Cairo-based side will host the South African giants on Sunday at the Air Defense Stadium, with kick-off set for 20:00 local time.
The tie is finely balanced at 1-1 after the first leg in Pretoria, where Walid El Karti's dramatic stoppage-time header salvaged a draw for the Egyptians following Lucas Ribeiro's opener for Sundowns.
A goalless draw or any win at home would be enough to hand Pyramids FC their first-ever CAF Champions League title — and in doing so, etch their name alongside Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily.
No other nation has ever had four separate clubs lift the coveted African title.
If Pyramids triumph, Egypt will achieve this unprecedented feat, further underlining the country's dominance in the history of club football on the continent.
In the modern Champions League era — which began in 1997 — Egypt already leads with Al Ahly's record 11 titles and Zamalek's five.
Pyramids' victory would see Egypt become the only country to have produced three different winners in this era, overtaking countries like Morocco and DR Congo.
For Pyramids FC, a club with significant investment but still seeking major silverware, the stakes are monumental.
After years of chasing domestic and continental success, the Sky Blues now stand one match away from a historic breakthrough.
Victory would not only validate their project but also signal the rise of a new powerhouse in African football.
Their opponents, Sundowns, are no strangers to the big stage, having won the title in 2016 and reached the latter stages in recent years.
But with momentum from the first leg and history within reach, the Pyramids camp is brimming with belief ahead of Sunday night's decider.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Al Ain's Rami Rabia sidelined for three weeks, to miss Egypt's World Cup qualifiers - Talents Abroad
Al Ain defender Rami Rabia will be out for around three weeks with injury, the UAE's Al Khaleej newspaper reported Tuesday, ruling the Egyptian international out of key fixtures for club and country. The 31-year-old centre-back will miss Al Ain's UAE Pro League opener against Al Bataeh on Saturday and is doubtful for Egypt's September World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. Egypt will host Ethiopia in Cairo on 5 September before travelling to Ouagadougou to face Burkina Faso on 9 September in matchdays seven and eight of the 2026 African qualifying campaign. Rabia, who joined Al Ain from Egyptian champions Ahly in June, featured for the Emirati side at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. His absence is a setback for coach Hossam Hassan as Egypt seek to consolidate their lead at the top of Group A. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
9 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Panova: Egypt's Youth & Sports Strategy Sends ‘Powerful Message' on Nation's Future
Ahmed Emam Egypt marked International Youth Day with the official launch of its "National Strategy for Youth and Sports (2025–2032)" , in a high-profile ceremony at the St. Regis Hotel in the New Administrative Capital, attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy, alongside senior government officials, development partners, and youth representatives. The new strategy, developed after extensive nationwide consultations, aims to empower Egypt's young population — nearly **60 percent of whom are under the age of 30** — through targeted investments in education, employment, sports, and community engagement. UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, speaking at the event, underscored the significance of launching the strategy on International Youth Day, calling it 'a statement of intent that Egypt sees its young people not only as the promise of tomorrow, but already as active contributors to the progress of today.' The strategy's development involved 21 workshops across 11 cities, surveys of over 10,000 young people, and the formulation of more than 400 actionable measures, reflecting a 'policy made with youth, not just for youth,' the UN official noted. A key pillar of the plan is leveraging sport as a catalyst for empowerment, inclusion, and economic growth. Citing the multi-billion-dollar global sports industry, officials highlighted Egypt's vision to harness sports not only for recreation, but as a driver of jobs, tourism, health, and national pride. The initiative builds on existing partnerships between Egypt and the United Nations, including: "Shabab Balad" , Egypt's branch of the global "Generation UN limited" movement, which connects young people to education, employment, and empowerment. In 2024 alone, more than 364,000 Egyptians, most of them young people, gained new skills through UN-supported programmes. Young entrepreneurs are also leading the way in green growth, agribusiness, and smart innovation, while community coach initiatives are empowering young women in sports and social leadership. 'This strategy sends a powerful message: that the skills, dreams, and energy of young people are essential for the nation's future,' the UN Resident Coordinator said, urging Egypt's youth to 'keep pushing and bringing ideas to the table.' The government and UN pledged to work together to ensure the strategy delivers on its vision of a healthier, more dynamic, and more confident generation of Egyptians, capable of contributing to both national development and global progress. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid Videos & Features Story behind Trending Jessica Radcliffe Death Video News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani
Al-Ahram Weekly
10 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Spanish coach Riveiro lays down the law for Ahly stars - Egyptian Football
Spanish coach Jose Riveiro has laid down the law to the stars of African giants Ahly of Egypt as they prepare for another CAF Champions League campaign. Cairo-based Ahly have won the elite African club competition a record 12 times -- seven times more than closest rivals Zamalek of Egypt and TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo. But last season they fell in the semi-finals to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, losing the tie on away goals after Yasser Ibrahim conceded an own goal in the final minute of regular time. Defeat was particularly painful for the Cairo Red Devils as it was the fourth time they had won back-to-back titles only to fail to create history by lifting the trophy three consecutive times. After three seasons and five trophies with Orlando Pirates in South Africa, Riveiro moved to Ahly last May and has yet to celebrate a victory. Ahly drew with Inter Miami and Porto, who they led four times, at the Club World Cup in the United States and lost to Brazilian outfit Palmeiras. If the 49-year-old Spaniard believed the Egypt Premier League kick-off last weekend would bring a chance of fortunes, he was mistaken. Away to Modern Future, who finished 14th last season, Ahly had to come from behind to secure a 2-2 draw thanks to a Yassin Marei goal. "There is no place for names, and no room for favouritism," said a visibly angry Riveiro after that match. "Whoever proves himself in training and in matches will get chances -- whoever disobeys instructions will have no role in the team." No future Queried by reporters about his line-up, Riveiro said: "I am the coach and I decide who participates and who does not". Riveiro stressed to his squad the need for full commitment to his tactics, warning those who failed to follow them would have no future at Ahly. He echoed the comments of the last two Ahly coaches, South African Pitso Mosimane and Swiss Marcel Koller, that Ahly want to win every competition they are involved in. But Riveiro knows winning the Champions League is of paramount importance for several reasons, including qualification for the 2029 Club World Cup. They have a first round bye in qualifying and will tackle the winners between Aigle Noir of Burundi and ASAS of Djibouti for a place in the group phase. The Club World Cup this year gave Ahly and the other three African representatives, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Esperance of Tunisia and Wydad Casblanca of Morocco, unrivalled riches. Each club received $9.5 million for qualifying plus an additional $2 million for a win and $1 million for a draw. Sundowns did best, taking home $12.5 million. Wydad will not be involved in the coming Champions League as they finished third in the Moroccan league, leaving champions Renaissance Berkane and runners-up FAR Rabat to represent the kingdom. FAR and the other seven quarter-finalists last season, including eventual champions Pyramids of Egypt will be back, and the field includes 10 former champions and six winners of other CAF competitions. Pyramids will face Rwandan army outfit APR for the third straight season in qualifying and will be expected to complete a hat-trick of aggregate victories. Should the defending champions advance, they will face Insurance of Ethiopia or Mlandege of Zanzibar for a group place. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
