Latest news with #MamelodiSundowns
CNA
an hour ago
- General
- CNA
Pyramids hope for ‘miracle' of support in African CL final
CAIRO :Egypt's Pyramids hope to rally local support for Sunday's African Champions League final as they face the possibility of hosting the second leg in a near-empty stadium in Cairo against South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns. Coach Krunoslav Jurcic said it would be a "miracle" if his side could attract support from a city whose citizens overwhelmingly back one of the two traditional Cairo giants - Al Ahly or Zamalek. Pyramids have emerged from their shadow to contest a first Champions League final and battled to a 1-1 draw away in Pretoria in the first leg. "We are expecting tomorrow a lot of people in the stadium. This will be a miracle," Jurcic told a press conference on Saturday at the June 30 Stadium on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital. "Lately, a lot of people have been speaking positively about Pyramids. They are supporters of other clubs in Egypt, but they will come to watch because Pyramids is an Egyptian club. "Tomorrow, all of Egypt will be with Pyramids, and this is our big success, this is the miracle for us," the Croatian coach said. They had only a few thousand in the stands when they triumphed in a high-tempo semi-final against another South Africa club Orlando Pirates last month. Pyramids moved to Cairo in 2018 and changed their name under new Saudi owners. They have since been taken over by investors from the United Arab Emirates but failed to attract much support despite challenging the traditional duopoly in recent years. But Jurcic made it clear they were still treated as outsiders as he again criticised Egypt's football association, which made them play a league game on Wednesday. "Where else in the world is a club forced to play a local match a few days before they compete in a Champions League final?," he said. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, however, said he did not think it would have any effect on Pyramids' chances in the final. "They rested most of their key players on Wednesday," he said of Pyramids' 5-1 win over Ceramica Cleopatra in their last league fixture of the season. Cardoso also did not think a small crowd would hinder their hosts. "They are used to playing without fans and they still fight for their championship and got to the Champions League final. It's not because of that that they didn't perform," Cardoso added.
Reuters
an hour ago
- General
- Reuters
Pyramids hope for ‘miracle' of support in African CL final
CAIRO, May 31 (Reuters) - Egypt's Pyramids hope to rally local support for Sunday's African Champions League final as they face the possibility of hosting the second leg in a near-empty stadium in Cairo against South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns. Coach Krunoslav Jurcic said it would be a "miracle" if his side could attract support from a city whose citizens overwhelmingly back one of the two traditional Cairo giants -- Al Ahly or Zamalek. Pyramids have emerged from their shadow to contest a first Champions League final and battled to a 1-1 draw away in Pretoria in the first leg. "We are expecting tomorrow a lot of people in the stadium. This will be a miracle," Jurcic told a press conference on Saturday at the June 30 Stadium on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital. "Lately, a lot of people have been speaking positively about Pyramids. They are supporters of other clubs in Egypt, but they will come to watch because Pyramids is an Egyptian club. "Tomorrow, all of Egypt will be with Pyramids, and this is our big success, this is the miracle for us," the Croatian coach said. They had only a few thousand in the stands when they triumphed in a high-tempo semi-final against another South Africa club Orlando Pirates last month. Pyramids moved to Cairo in 2018 and changed their name under new Saudi owners. They have since been taken over by investors from the United Arab Emirates but failed to attract much support despite challenging the traditional duopoly in recent years. But Jurcic made it clear they were still treated as outsiders as he again criticised Egypt's football association, which made them play a league game on Wednesday. "Where else in the world is a club forced to play a local match a few days before they compete in a Champions League final?," he said. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, however, said he did not think it would have any effect on Pyramids' chances in the final. "They rested most of their key players on Wednesday," he said of Pyramids' 5-1 win over Ceramica Cleopatra in their last league fixture of the season. Cardoso also did not think a small crowd would hinder their hosts. "They are used to playing without fans and they still fight for their championship and got to the Champions League final. It's not because of that that they didn't perform," Cardoso added.
The South African
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns to announce new deal
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. Since then, Lunga, who plays his football as a left-back, has played 41 matches for Sundowns, which included three goals and eight assists. Divine Lunga pushes his limits at Chloorkop. Image: Masandawana/X. 'Mamelodi Sundowns have exercised the option in the contract of Zimbabwe international defender Divine Lunga till June 2026,' iDiski Times reported. 'Information gathered by this publication states that Sundowns exercised the option they had in Lunga's contract. He is expected to be with the club until June 2026 with his focus now firmly on the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA next month,' the report added. 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.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Five key players that can guide Mamelodi Sundowns to their Champions League dream
LUCAS Ribeiro leads the list of match winners for the Mamelodi Sundowns side that need to make sure to score in the Caf Champions League semi-final. | BackpagePix Image: BACKPAGEPIX Mamelodi Sundowns are preparing for what could be the most defining match in the club's illustrious history as they travel to Cairo to face Pyramids FC in the decisive second leg of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League final at the 30 June Stadium (kick-off 7pm). With the tie finely balanced following a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium last week, the Brazilians know the stakes couldn't be higher. Now needing to take the initiative away from home, head coach Miguel Cardoso will be leaning on several of his top performers to deliver when it matters most. Below, we highlight five pivotal players who has the mettle to lead Sundowns to their second CAF Champions League triumph. Grant Kekana ISITOBHA seMamelodi Sundowns, uGrant Kekana, sibalwa nabadlali leli qembu elizothembela kubona ukuqhubeka nokwenza kahle emqhudelwaneni iCaf Champions League Image: BACKPAGEPIX Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ A key figure in Sundowns' defensive unit, Kekana has been instrumental in both their domestic success and their progression to the Champions League final. The experienced center-back has displayed consistency and leadership throughout the campaign, but he will now face one of the sternest examinations of his career. Although Sundowns managed to win the majority of aerial duels in the first leg, they were undone by a single cross that found its way past the defense, resulting in a crucial away goal for Pyramids. With the Egyptian side known for their reliance on wide play and dangerous deliveries into the box, Kekana's positional awareness and command in the air will be vital in neutralising that threat. Iqraam Rayners MAMELODI Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners looking to add his name in Caf Champions League history. | BackpagePix Image: backpagePix Iqraam Rayners has been in impressive form in recent games, and his relentless desire to find the back of the net could exactly be the spark the visitors need to regain control in this high-stakes encounter. The Bafana Bafana forward has netted three goals in his last 10 outings, and with his team in a must-score situation to keep their Champions League dream alive, it will be essential for him to deliver one of his sharpest performances yet. Musa Lebusa UMusa Lebusa uthi iMamelodi Sundowns ikulungele ukuqubisana nePyramids emdlalweni weCAF Champions League emalanga ngoMgqibelo, eLoftus Stadium. Image: Facebook Musa Lebusa may not always get the headlines, but his contribution at the back has been invaluable for the Brazilians. A dependable and composed defender, his center-back partnership with Kekana has formed a solid foundation that nearly earned them a first-leg win— with only four minutes of added time separating them from carrying an advantage to Egypt. Now, with Pyramids' dangermen Fiston Mayele and first-leg goalscorer Walid El Karti set to be on full-on attack, Lebusa's task will be to maintain composure and execute with precision and help guide his side to as little goals as possible. Lucas Ribeiro Costa Lucas Ribeiro Costa of Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Golden Boot winner in the Betway Premiership and by a mile Sundowns' standout player this season, Lucas Ribeiro Costa has consistently delivered in key moments. His ability to rise to the occasion has been a driving force behind the team's league success, and Cardoso will be counting on him to produce a similar spark on Sunday. Costa's goal in the first leg has kept the tie alive, and with just 90 minutes separating Sundowns from making South African football history by becoming the first club to win the CAF Champions League twice, the spotlight will be firmly on him, and his creativity and finishing could very well be the difference. Jayden Adams UJayden Adams ngomnye wabadlali eza kuthembela kubo iMamelodi Sundowns xa idibana neAl Ahly emdlalweni weCAF Champions League emalanga namhlanje ePitoli. Image: Backpagepix
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns confident of returning the African crown back to Pretoria
Mamelodi Sundowns players greet the crowd with confidence in the camp high that they will find a way past Pyramids in the second leg of the Caf Champions League in Cairo. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers Mamelodi Sundowns' camp is high on confidence that they'll be crowned the 'Kings of African Football' when the final whistle goes in Cairo. Sundowns will face Pyramids in the CAF Champions League final second leg at 30 June Stadium on Sunday night (7pm kick-off). They are on a bit of a backfoot as Pyramids scored in the 1-1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria, resulting in the Pharaohs taking home an away goal advantage. But Sundowns have ample confidence that they can turn the tide in the second leg as the draw at home last weekend was due to their own doing. Speaking to Mamelodi Sundowns TV on 'Road to the Final of Finals: Episode 9', midfielder Teboho Mokoena reflected on what went wrong for them at home a week ago. 'I am sure that we'll pitch up and do our best, and lift the trophy,' Mokoena beamed with positivity, before going down memory. 'I don't think Pyramids played against the Sundowns that we know last Saturday (back in Pretoria). 'I think we were nervous, we were not free. Of course, in the second half we came back better, but in the last minute we lost concentration and conceded. 'It was very tough, and sad. We thought we had the game. But it didn't go the way we planned. 'One thing for sure, if we had to decide to take a team that has lost or through the game that must win (the next game) should be Sundowns.'
