The semi-finals of the African Champions League saw two Egyptian clubs experience markedly different endings — when the reverse would have been the norm.
Egypt’s Pyramids FC reached the Champions League final for the first time in their history after a 3-2 victory over South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in the second leg of the semi-final at Cairo’s Air Defence Stadium on 25 April, setting up a showdown with Mamelodi Sundowns, also of South Africa.
Meanwhile, on the same day, defending Egyptian champions Ahly could not hold on to their title as Sundowns advanced to the final on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw in Cairo.
Ahly’s surprising ouster — the first leg in South Africa ended 0-0 — cost the job of their coach, the Swiss Marcel Koller.
The results mean Pyramids will face Mamelodi Sundowns, who won their only final in 2016, in what promises to be a mouth-watering two-legged final scheduled for 24 May and 1 June. The first game will be played in South Africa.
Congolese striker Fiston Mayele was the hero for Pyramids who came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to beat Orlando 3-2. Mayele scored twice in first-half stoppage time and netted the winner in the 86th minute. Ramadan Sobhi was also on target as the hosts came from behind twice to complete a dramatic comeback.
The visitors had taken the lead twice through goals from Relebohile Mofokeng in the 41st minute and Mohau Nkota in the 51st, but were unable to hold on, falling short of their first Champions League final appearance since 2013.
The decisive moment came with just six minutes remaining. After a goalmouth scramble from a corner, Mayele reacted quickest, hammering the ball into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations among the home faithful.
The rising Egyptian club relied on their home advantage after a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Johannesburg.
For Orlando Pirates, it was a brave effort but one that ultimately fell short, ending their hopes of a second CAF Champions League title.
Pyramids held on to secure a famous win and, in the process, extended their remarkable unbeaten home record to 23 matches.
Before the game the Egyptian outfit had won all four of their CAF Champions League home fixtures this season, racking up 17 goals and conceding just three.
A resilient Orlando Pirates defence had not conceded in the competition since the group stages.
The South Africans were equally impressive on the road, with three wins and a draw in their four away games.
In the other painful semi-final for Egypt, Ahly took the lead through Taher Mohamed, who delivered a stunning strike from outside the box — albeit at the near post — after a long assist by Emam Ashour.
But the Sundowns visitors silenced the Cairo International Stadium crowd with 10 minutes remaining in the game when a low cross forced defender Yasser Ibrahim into an own goal. In the scramble, the ball ricocheted off his right leg into the goal, unbeknownst to him until it was too late. The 1-1 result favoured Sundowns because of the away goals rule which is still employed in Africa.
The result extended Ahly’s winless run against the South Africans to eight games in their worst ever run against a continental rival. The team could not extend their already record 12 Champion Leagues and were gunning for unprecedented three in a row.
One day following their elimination, the axe fell on Ahly coach Koller. Former defender Emad Al-Nahhas was appointed caretaker coach.
“Ahly express their deep gratitude to Marcel Koller for his exceptional efforts since assuming leadership. Under his guidance and through collective teamwork, Ahly have secured multiple domestic and continental titles,” the club said in an official statement on social media.
The 64-year-old tactician took charge of Ahly in September 2022. Since then, Koller led Ahly to 11 trophies, including two Egyptian Premier League titles, two Egypt Cups, four Egyptian Super Cups, two CAF Champions League titles, and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup bronze medal.
This season, however, Ahly have struggled, currently sitting in second in the league table with 38 points, four behind leaders Pyramids with six games remaining, and were eliminated from the Egyptian League Cup.
Despite an impressive record in his two and a half seasons, Koller was met with a chorus of boos and was pelted with empty plastic water bottles as he was leaving the field following Ahly’s African defeat.
Although contractual negotiations were not disclosed, the Ahly statement implied there could be problems ahead concerning Koller’s remaining salary.
“Negotiations are underway to reach an agreement on the termination of Koller’s contract. Both parties aim to resolve the matter amicably, preserving the distinguished legacy of the club and the coach,” the statement added.
Al-Nahhas, who previously managed several clubs in the Egyptian Premier League and was a stalwart central defender for Ismaili and Ahly, takes over temporarily until a new permanent head coach is appointed. Al-Nahhas will then serve as an assistant coach.
The 49-year-old will face his first official test when Ahly play Petrojet on Wednesday in the league, after Al-Ahram Weekly went to print.
Ahly are also set to kick off the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign in Florida against Inter Miami of the United States on 15 June.
The Ahly club shakeup did not stop at the top coach. Former coach Mohamed Youssef will replace Mohamed Ramadan as sporting director and Mohamed Shawki, who served as football director with Koller, has been named as a trainer in the new staff.
Michel Iannacone will remain the goalkeeping coach.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 1 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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