Latest news with #LucasRibeiro
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns' Miguel Cardoso expresses pride despite CAF Champions League final loss
DISAPPOINTMENT Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso reflected with pride on the team's journey in CAF Champions League despite their loss to Pyramids FC in the final, highlighting their victories over top-ranked Al Ahly and Esperance. Seen here: Sundowns' Lucas Ribeiro. Picture: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix Despite defeat in the CAF Champions League final to Pyramids FC in Cairo on Sunday evening, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso was still immensely proud of his charges. Sundowns lost 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate over the two legs, after the 1-1 draw in Pretoria a week prior. After the first leg, it was always going to be a difficult proposition to beat the Egyptian outfit on their home turf. That task became even more daunting when Fiston Mayele opened the scoring for the hosts inside the first 25 minutes, and then Ahmed Samy doubled the scoreline for Pyramids just ahead of the hour mark. Iqraam Rayners pulled a goal back in the 75th minute, but Sundowns fell one strike short of what would have won them the title through the away goal rule. After the match, Cardoso was quick to point out the number of high-profile teams his side had dispatched during the premier African competition.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pyramids and Sundowns collide in do-or-die Champs League final
The sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria. Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns will meet in what is expected to be a thrilling second leg of the CAF Champions League final in Cairo tonight. Both teams have all to play for after they played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria. Lucas Ribeiro's opener for Sundowns was canceled out by a late Walid El Karti header for Pyramids. ALSO READ: Egypt's Pyramids seek support as they aim to take down Sundowns A goalless draw or any win at home would be enough to hand Pyramids their first-ever CAF Champions League title. However, a high scoring draw will see Sundowns being crowned the champions of Africa for the second time following their triumph under Pitso Mosimane in 2016. Speaking ahead of tonight's clash at the Air Defense Stadium, Pyramids coach Jurcic urged Egyptian football as a whole to rally behind his team, saying they are not representing themselves but the country of Egypt. 'We will play our usual way, and we call on the Egyptian fans to support us for the sake of football in the country, not just for Pyramids,' Jurcic told the media. Commenting on the game, Jurcic said as much as they respect Sundowns, they will do everything in their power to win the final. 'It's a decisive and difficult match. 'We'll play our usual way, but we are ready for all scenarios. This is the CAF Champions League final — anything can happen. 'We've built character over this campaign. We respect Sundowns, but we are here to win.' Pyramids carry an away goal advantage going into this match, and they are expected to apply the low block and try to catch Sundowns on the counter attack. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, however, is not only worried about this, but also Pyramids' organised attack. 'It's not only worrying about the counter-attacks from Pyramids, it's also worrying about their organized attack, about their set-pieces, because they can score like us at any moment,' he explained. ALSO READ: Sundowns boss targeting CAF title ahead of Club World Cup 'Usually, in these games, the goals appear in the details, and you saw how the detail in the last seconds of the game gave one goal that was not expected already at that moment. Maybe before it wouldn't be expected, but at that moment, no one expected it,' said Cardoso.
CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Pyramids poised to carve name in African football history
Published: Sunday, 01 June 2025 Pyramids FC are just 90 minutes away from achieving the greatest milestone in their club's short history as they prepare to host South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns in the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final on Sunday at Cairo's Air Defense Stadium. With the first leg ending 1-1 in Pretoria — Lucas Ribeiro's strike cancelled out by a late equaliser from Walid El Karti — the Egyptian side head into the return fixture knowing a goalless draw or any outright win would secure them their first-ever Champions League crown. This would not only mark a seismic moment for Pyramids FC, but it would also add a new name to the elite list of African football champions. Founded in 2008 and only emerging as a professional force in recent years, the Cairo-based side are now on the cusp of continental greatness. Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić has guided the team to this historic final, looking to add the CAF Champions League trophy to the Egypt Cup title he won earlier in the season. Should he succeed, he will become the first Croatian manager to lift Africa's premier club competition trophy — a significant personal and national milestone. Jurčić follows in the footsteps of another Croatian, Ante Cacic, who led Pyramids to the final of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2020, where they narrowly lost to Morocco's RS Berkane. This time, Pyramids are determined to go one step further. Victory on Sunday would also see Pyramids join an exclusive club of Egyptian giants — Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily — as winners of Africa's most prestigious club tournament. Egypt would also become the only country to have four different clubs crowned champions in the competition's history. With the Air Defense Stadium expected to be packed with local supporters and the eyes of the continent watching, Pyramids FC know they are not just playing for a trophy, but for their legacy.
CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Sundowns aim for second African crown in Cairo showdown
Published: Sunday, 01 June 2025 Mamelodi Sundowns are just one game away from reclaiming African club football's biggest prize, as they are in Cairo to face Egypt's Pyramids FC in Sunday's decisive second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final. The first leg ended 1-1 at a packed Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, with Lucas Ribeiro giving the South Africans the lead before Walid El Karti struck late to earn Pyramids a vital away goal. It means Sundowns must now either win or secure a scoring draw of 2-2 or more to lift their second Champions League title, after their historic triumph in 2016. Led by charismatic head coach Miguel Cardosso, the Brazilians are desperate to end a nearly decade-long wait for continental silverware. Cardosso, who took full charge of the team to revive its fortunes, has repeatedly stated his ambition to restore Sundowns to the summit of African football. Sundowns have been one of the most dominant sides in African football over the past decade, consistently reaching the knockout stages and winning the CAF Super Cup in 2017. But recent years have seen them fall short at crucial stages, something Cardosso's men are determined to correct. Midfielder Tebogo Mokoena and defender Malibongwe Khoza have both expressed belief in the squad's ability to overcome the Cairo challenge, with Khoza declaring: 'We know what we will do to win, we know how they [Pyramids] will play, and we know how we will exploit the spaces.' If Sundowns succeed, they will become just the fourth team in the Champions League era to win the title more than once, joining the likes of Al Ahly, TP Mazembe, and ES Tunis. Sunday's clash at the Air Defense Stadium is not just a battle for a trophy — it is a showdown between two clubs representing ambition, identity, and a hunger to write a new chapter in African football history.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns news: Kodisang, Lunga and CAFCL final
Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns have a CAF Champions League final on Sunday. The challengers are Egypt's Pyramids FC. Following the first leg tie last weekend, Sunday's second leg will start at 1-1. Lucas Ribeiro broke the deadlock after 54 minutes before Pyramids' Walid El Karti equalised during 90 minutes of stoppage time. Speaking to the media ahead of the second leg final, Sundowns' chairman, Tlhopane 'Tlhopie' Motsepe, revealed that Kabo Yellow expect nothing less than a win for Abafana BaStyle on Sunday. Mamelodi Sundowns team vs Raja Casablanca. Image: @safootclassics/X 'That's what we want, to go there as African champions,' Motsepe said via Sowetan . 'We have a big chance. Being African champions again is something we've longed for. We are one step away from achieving it. 'If we were to rewind to the start of the season and you asked if we would love to be in this position – one game away from the CAF Champions League title – we would take it. It's what we plan for every season,' the Sundowns boss added. 'The energy in the group is great and that's good considering the coach didn't have a preseason with us. 'He didn't get to pick the players he wants, or instil his methods. But to now be in the final with the players he found there is testament to what he's achieved,' the chairman concluded. This move hasn't gone well. Does everyone still remember that Mamelodi Sundowns signed Kobamelo Kodisang this season? Kabomelo Kodisang's Mamelodi Sundowns dreams have not come true this past season. The former Platinum Stars attacker made an exciting move to Kabo Yellow in January before spending most of the season in the stands. Kodisang, who moved from Moreirense in Portugal, originally left Mzansi in 2019 after a stellar season with the defunct Bidvest Wits. The Rustenburg-born player started in Braga's B team before attracting Moreirense's senior side. After 14 goals and eight assists for Moreirense, Sundowns came calling… Full Story here. Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga won't be changing his club colours anytime soon. The Betway Premiership champions have reportedly decided to keep the 30-year-old Zimbabwean for another year. Lunga made his dream move to the big time when he signed for Sundowns in July 2021 from fellow Premier Soccer League side Golden Arrows… Full Story here. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
