Sundowns CAF Champions League dream crushed in Cairo

Pyramids FC secured their first-ever Continental Title

By Sports Reporter

Dejected Mamelodi Sundowns players after they lost the CAF Champions League Final 2-1 (Aggregate 3-2) to Pyramids of Egypt (Top picture) in Cairo, last Sunday.       Images: Facebook / YouTube

Pyramids FC secured their first-ever CAF Champions League title after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on Sunday night.

Masandawana made just a single change from the first-leg and recalled Jayden Adams for Arthur Sales, while Ramadan Sobhi came in as the sole change for Pyramids.

Sundowns enjoyed a lot of the ball in the opening stages, but survived a scare when Fiston Mayele side-footed a floated cross against the side-netting.

Mayele made amends in the midway stage of the first half as he pounced on a defensive error by Grant Kekana in the box and sent a powerful first-time finish beyond Ronwen Williams.

Pyramids enjoyed complete control at this stage and nearly got a second goal through a header by Sobhi following a corner-kick, but Williams made the save to keep Sundowns in the contest.

The Brazilians got a golden chance in stoppage time when Lucas Ribeiro played Tashreeq Matthews through on goal, but the latter failed to beat goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy in the box.

Masandawana showed a lot of energy following the resumption and threatened the equaliser when a long-range strike from Teboho Mokoena stung the gloves of El Shenawy.

The Egyptian outfit, however, proved more decisive and doubled the lead through a point-blank header by Ahmed Samy following a free-kick for Sobi.

Sundowns looked for a route back thus an attacking substitution saw them introduce Peter Shalulile, Thapelo Morena and Sales.

However, the Brazilians' persistence reaped dividends when Rayners volleyed in the near corner following a loose ball, with the goal approved by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Sundowns came close to the leveller three minutes to the end through a close-range effort from Shalulile, but El Shenawy made a smart save.

Masandawana pushed relentlessly in the lengthy stoppage time, but the Egyptian big-spenders remained resilient and claimed their maiden Champions League title.

Confirmed line-ups:

Pyramids: El Shenawy, Samy, Marie, Chibi, Hamdy, Lashin, Toure, El Karty, Atef, Sobhi, Mayele

Subs: Ekramy, Gabr, Tawfik, Hafez, Magdy, Adel, Obama, Hamdy

Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Lebusa, Kekana, Mudau, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Adams, Ribeiro, Matthews, Rayners.

Subs: Onyango, Sales, Aubaas, Zwane, Morena, Lunga, Mvala, Mothiba, Shalulile

Additional Info By: Kickoff.com