Pyramids' players celebrate winning the CAF Champions League final football match between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at 30 June Stadium in Cairo on June 1, 2025. AFP
Having drawn the first leg 1-1 in Pretoria a week earlier, Pyramids FC clinched the title with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Congolese striker Fiston Mayele opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, extending his lead atop the competition’s goal-scoring chart with six goals.
Defender Ahmed Sami doubled the lead in the 56th minute with a powerful header, while Iqraam Rayners pulled one back for Sundowns in the 76th minute, scoring the consolation goal for the South African side.
With the advantage from the first leg, Pyramids FC started the game calmly, containing the predicted early pressure from the visitors.
Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners both had attempts on goal for Sundowns.
Pyramids’ first real threat came in the 22nd minute, but Fiston Mayele’s left-footed shot from inside the box missed the target.
One minute later, a poor clearance by Sundowns defender Grant Kekana fell to Mayele on the edge of the area, and he opened the scoring with a powerful shot.
Goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawy preserved Pyramids’ lead just before the break, denying Tashreeq Matthews’ close-range effort.
Ten minutes into the second half, defender Ahmed Sami made it 2-0, meeting Mohamed El-Chibi’s inviting cross with a well-placed header.
With a two-goal deficit, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso went on the attack, making three offensive substitutions to keep his side’s hopes alive.
His tactical changes paid off when Iqraam Rayners pulled one back in the 76th minute.
Rayners’ close-range shot was deflected by Pyramids defender Mahmoud Marei, wrong-footing El-Shennawy.
In response, Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurčić made defensive changes to strengthen his backline for the tense final stages.
The Pyramids defenders, alongside El-Shennawy, played a crucial role in holding off Sundowns' pressure during the final 15 minutes and ten minutes of added time, securing the victory and the trophy.
Pyramids FC, in just their second appearance in the Champions League, became the fourth Egyptian club to win the title, following in the footsteps of Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily.
They will have the opportunity to add another trophy to their collection when they face Zamalek in the Egypt Cup final on Thursday.
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