Ambitious Egyptian club Pyramids claimed their first African Champions League title by beating South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on home soil to seal a 3-2 aggregate win.
After the first leg had ended 1-1 last Saturday, the tournament’s leading scorer Fiston Mayele beat Ronwen Williams from close range in the 23rd minute to put Pyramids ahead in the tie for the first time.
Ahmed Samy’s diving header, awarded after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check, made it 2-0 on the night, and 3-1 overall, in the 56th minute.
Iqraam Rayners then pulled one back for Sundowns with 15 minutes remaining with a volleyed effort, but the visitors could not find an equaliser which would have seen them snatch the title on away goals.
Pyramids saw out 10 minutes of added time at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo to write their name in African football history and pick up $4m in prize money.
The club has been transformed since 2018 thanks to investment from first Saudi Arabian and then Emirati backers, and Pyramids become the 13th different winner of the Champions League since the tournament entered its modern era in 1997.
No way back for Sundowns
Sundowns, champions in 2016, travelled the length of the continent under pressure after Walid El Karti’s stoppage-time equaliser gave Pyramids the advantage at the halfway stage of the tie.
The South Africans showed more intent in the early stages, with Pyramids happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, but the visitors were guilty of misplaced passes and lacked fluency in attack.
Mayele’s opener came after Grant Kekana failed to clear a cross, and the DR Congo international pounced to net his ninth goal of this season’s competition.
Sundowns did not have a shot on target until the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, when home keeper Ahmed El Shenawy was drawn into an excellent point-blank save to deny Tashreeq Matthews following a breakaway.
A great free-kick from Mohamed Chibi teed up Samy to double the lead, although Pyramids could only be assured of breathing space once a VAR check ruled that the centre-back was onside.
El Shenawy made another good save to keep out Teboho Mokoena’s powerful free-kick midway through the second half, but Sundowns had hope when Rayners converted a cross in the 75th minute.
However, it proved to be too little too late as Sundowns, who have won the past eight South African league titles, just could not breach El Shenawy’s goal again despite their late attacks.
A new name on the trophy
Pyramids were formed in 2008 as Al Assiouty, but were renamed and moved to Cairo 10 years later after attracting investment from Saudi Arabia.
Their success continues the domination of the Champions League by Egyptian clubs, who have now won seven out of its past nine editions – with Al Ahly claiming six of those titles.
Yet, despite boasting the funds to lure some of the best talent in Egypt and Africa, Pyramids remain in the shadow of Cairo giants Al Ahly and Zamalek.
Coach Krunoslav Jurcic pleaded for fans in Egypt to come and support his side before the game, but the crowd was relatively quiet on the night despite a sizeable attendance at the 30,000-capacity 30 June Stadium.
Pyramids missed out on the league title to Al Ahly in midweek but could yet seal a domestic and continental double when they face Zamalek in the Egyptian Cup final on Thursday.
Sundowns, meanwhile, will have to get over defeat quickly as Miguel Cardoso’s men prepare to take part in the expanded Fifa Club World Cup in the United States.
They will face Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund and Ulsan in Group F, with their first game against the South Korean side on 17 June.
