Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns Gear Up for CAF Champions League Final Showdown
Pyramids FC will host Mamelodi Sundowns in the highly anticipated second leg of the 2024–25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Final on Sunday, June 1, at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. The match is set to kick off at 20:00 local time (17:00 GMT), promising a thrilling conclusion to this year’s competition.
The first leg, held on May 24 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw. Lucas Ribeiro Costa put Sundowns ahead in the 54th minute, but Walid El Karti equalized for Pyramids in stoppage time, setting the stage for a nail-biting second leg.
Title Scenarios
Pyramids will clinch the title with a victory or a 0-0 draw, while Sundowns can lift the trophy with a win or a draw of 2-2 or higher. A repeat of the first leg’s scoreline will lead to a penalty shootout, adding another layer of tension to the upcoming clash.
Historical Context
This final marks the 61st overall in the tournament’s history and the 29th since its rebranding to the Champions League in 1997. It is also the fourth meeting between the two clubs, who previously faced each other in the 2023/24 group stage, drawing 0-0 in Pretoria and Sundowns winning 1-0 in Cairo.
Historically, Egyptian clubs have fared well against their South African counterparts in the Champions League finals, winning three of the previous four encounters. Pyramids aim to become the fourth different Egyptian club to win the tournament, joining the ranks of Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily.
Pyramids FC: Aiming for Glory
Pyramids are on a strong run, having maintained an unbeaten streak of 23 home games this season (W19 D4), with their only home defeat in 43 matches dating back to July 2024. They have scored in 22 of their 23 home games, showcasing their attacking prowess.
Fiston Mayele leads the team with eight goals this season, while Ramadan Sobhi has been instrumental with five assists. The team’s recent form and home advantage position them as favorites heading into the final.
Mamelodi Sundowns Seeking Redemption
On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns are competing in their third Champions League final, having previously won in 2016. They are unbeaten in their last ten matches against Egyptian clubs and are hoping to build on that record. However, they have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, which adds pressure as they prepare for this crucial match.
Coach Miguel Cardoso, who reached the final last season with Esperance, is still in search of his first victory in a final leg. Sundowns will need to overcome their historical struggles in Egypt to lift the trophy once again.
