Latest news with #Zamalek
CAF
14 hours ago
- Sport
- CAF
Pyramids aim to make Egypt first nation with four CAF Champions League titles
Published: Sunday, 01 June 2025 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.
Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Zamalek conclude league campaign with 2-0 win over Pharco - Egyptian Football
Third-placed Zamalek ended their disappointing Egyptian League season with a 2-0 victory over Pharco FC in the final matchday of the playoff stage at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday. Midfielders Mohamed Shehata and youngster Mohamed El-Sayed scored for Zamalek in each half, securing a morale-boosting result for the White Knights ahead of their Cup final on 5 June against Pyramids. Despite dominating possession in the first half, Zamalek struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. Shehata broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, latching onto a cross from left-back Ahmed Fatouh outside the box to unleash a stunning 25-meter right-footed strike into the bottom-left corner, marking his second league goal of the season. The Cairo-based side continued to face challenges in breaching Pharco's resolute defense, which remained organized in thwarting Zamalek's attempts to extend their lead. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Shehata tested the woodwork with another long-range effort, striking the left post before the ball rebounded off goalkeeper Mohamed Nadim into his grasp. After the break, interim coach Ayman El-Ramady introduced Nasser Maher, Mohamed El-Sayed, and Mostafa El-Zenary for Nabil Emad, Abdallah El-Said, and Omar Gaber. Six minutes into the second half, right-winger Ahmed 'Esho' Abdel-Rahman struck the crossbar with a close-range left-footed shot. El-Ramady's 58th-minute substitution of veteran skipper Mahmoud 'Shikabala' Abdel-Razek proved decisive, as the Zamalek star delivered a precise cross from the left for El-Sayed to tap home from close range. Pharco FC's players appealed for a penalty four minutes later when striker Ahmed Sherif fell in the box, but the referee upheld the decision to continue play following a VAR review. Zamalek dominated the remainder of the match but failed to capitalize on further chances. The result lifted Zamalek to 47 points, finishing 11 points behind league champions Ahly and nine adrift of second-placed Pyramids FC, while Pharco FC retained seventh spot with 32 points. Zamalek now shift focus to their Egypt Cup final showdown against Pyramids FC on Thursday, aiming to secure silverware after a frustrating campaign. (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:
CNA
a day 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
a day 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.
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Preview: Zamalek aim high note in league finale against Pharco FC after poor season - Egyptian Football
Cairo giants Zamalek will be aiming to salvage pride from a disappointing Egyptian Premier League campaign when they face Pharco FC in the final matchday of the playoff stage at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday. The White Knights enter the match with renewed confidence after securing their first win under interim coach Ayman El-Ramady, defeating Petrojet 3-1 last Saturday. El-Ramady, 60, was appointed interim manager on 7 May becoming the fourth manager to take over the team this season after Jose Gomes, Christian Gross and Jose Peseiro. He had a shaky start at the Cairo-based side, drawing 2-2 with Ceramica Cleopatra and suffering a slim 1-0 defeat to Pyramids FC. Zamalek are currently third in the league standings with 44 points, 14 behind champions Ahly and 12 adrift of second-placed Pyramids FC. El-Ramady faces challenges with a growing injury list that includes Ahmed Jafeli, Ahmed Fatouh, and Hamza Mathouthi, and Moroccan left-back Mahmoud Bentayg all of whom will miss the game. Fortunately, he will receive a boost as several injured players are set to return. Midfield duo Nasser Maher and Mahmoud Gehad have recovered and will be available for selection. The team's top scorer Nasser Mansi has also resumed training but may not start the game. Mansi has a personal challenge as he will be hoping to score a double to match Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour's 13 goals at the top of the league's scoring chart. This match serves as valuable preparation for Zamalek ahead of their Egypt Cup final against Pyramids FC on 5 June. Pharco FC, meanwhile, arrive following a heavy 6-0 defeat to Ahly on Wednesday, in a match that marked the Red Devils' coronation ceremony for their record-extending 45th league title. (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:
