Mamelodi Sundowns’ dreams of reclaiming the CAF Champions League title came crashing down on Sunday night as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Egypt’s Pyramids FC in the second leg of the final, resulting in a 3-2 loss on aggregate. It was a night of what-ifs for the South African champions, who failed to capitalise on key moments and paid the price for costly errors in both halves at the 30 June Stadium.
Mamelodi Sundowns Succumb to First-Half Pressure
Having been held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld, the Tshwane giants travelled to Cairo knowing a strong start would be crucial. However, the hosts took full advantage of a defensive lapse midway through the first half. A poor clearance from Grant Kekana inside the box fell kindly for Pyramids’ talisman Fiston Mayele, who struck with precision to give the Egyptians the lead and swing the tie in their favour for the first time.
It was Mayele’s ninth goal of the tournament, underlining his reputation as one of the competition’s deadliest forwards. The goal unsettled Sundowns, who struggled to regain their composure and rhythm, while Pyramids adopted a more cautious approach, soaking up pressure and waiting for opportunities on the counter.
Samy’s Strike Doubles the Damage
The blow was compounded early in the second half when a beautifully delivered free-kick from Mohamed Chibi found centre-back Ahmed Samy. Rising highest at the back post, Samy buried a header into the net to make it 2-0 on the night. Although the goal was subjected to a lengthy VAR review, it stood—leaving Sundowns with a mountain to climb.
Despite a late surge, Sundowns found it difficult to crack a disciplined Pyramids defence. Ronwen Williams had to remain alert to prevent further damage, while Ahmed El Shenawy produced key saves at the other end to deny efforts from Tashreeq Matthews and Teboho Mokoena.
Rayners Offers a Lifeline, but Time Runs Out
The Brazilians finally found some reward in the 75th minute when Iqraam Rayners, quick to react to a loose ball in the box, powered home a deflected strike to reduce the deficit. The goal injected urgency into Sundowns’ attack, but despite dominating possession and territory in the final stages—including 10 minutes of added time—they could not breach El Shenawy’s goal again.
As the final whistle blew, scenes of celebration erupted for Pyramids, who claimed their first-ever CAF Champions League crown and became only the 13th club to lift the title in its modern format.
A Crushing End to a Promising Campaign
For Sundowns, the defeat marks another agonising near-miss in their continental journey. The 2016 champions were widely tipped to go all the way this season after their commanding performances in the group stages and knockout rounds. Their domestic dominance—evidenced by eight consecutive Premiership titles—had positioned them as favourites, but once again, they faltered at the final hurdle.
Coach Miguel Cardoso’s side will need to regroup quickly. The expanded FIFA Club World Cup awaits later this month in the United States, where they’ve been drawn into a tough Group F featuring Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund and Ulsan Hyundai. Their campaign kicks off on 17 June against the South Korean champions.
Cairo’s New Kings Make History
Pyramids’ historic triumph caps a remarkable rise for the club, which has been transformed in recent years through significant investment. Once known as Al Assiouty before their 2018 rebranding and relocation to Cairo, the club is now a genuine force in African football. Their CAF title win adds to Egypt’s recent dominance in the competition—marking the seventh time in the last nine editions that an Egyptian side has been crowned champions.
As Sundowns return home with heavy hearts, the taste of continental glory remains elusive. But with their consistent progress and growing pedigree, few would bet against them mounting another serious challenge next season.
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