Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC are set to meet for the second leg of the Caf Champions League final on Sunday at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
It will be a massive game for either side after a 1-1 draw in the initial meeting, staged at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, May 24. A goalless draw will work in favour of the Egyptian outfit, while any kind of win or a high-scoring draw will give the Brazilinas the title.
Masandawana and Pyramids will be meeting for the fourth time in the competition's history. The first engagement was in the 2023/24 campaign in the group stage; the Premier Soccer League champions drew 0-0 at home before claiming a slim 1-0 win in Cairo. Ahead of the game, have a look at the following facts as shared by Caf website.
Facts about the South African and Egyptian teams
“Historically, this will be the fifth Champions League final between Egyptian and South African clubs. Egyptian sides have won three of the previous four.
“The first Egypt–South Africa final came in 2001, when Al Ahly defeated Sundowns 4-1 on aggregate. In 2013, Al Ahly again triumphed over a South African side, beating Orlando Pirates 3-1 over two legs.
“Sundowns are the only South African team to win a Champions League final tie against Egyptian opposition, beating Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate in 2016. The most recent meeting before this season was Al Ahly’s 3-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the 2020/21 final.
“South African teams have never overcome a draw at home in the first leg against Egyptian opposition. Both Sundowns in 2001 and Pirates in 2013 drew their home legs against Al Ahly and went on to lose the away leg.
“Egyptian clubs have won all three previous home games against South African sides in Champions League finals.
“Overall, Egyptian and South African clubs have clashed in eight Champions League final matches (including two-legged ties), with Egypt claiming four wins, South Africa one, and three draws.”
Pyramids facts ahead of the game
“Pyramids are aiming to become the first new winner of the tournament since Sundowns in 2016, the 13th different champion in the Champions League era, and the 27th overall.
“Pyramids have played just one of their last nine matches at home – a 3-2 win over Pirates in April. All five of their May fixtures were away (W2 D1 L2). Despite the travel, they are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4), and in their last 28 overall (W24 D4), dating back to a 1-0 loss to Al Ahly in July 2024. That is their only home defeat in 43 matches.
“Pyramids have scored in 22 of their 23 home games this season in all competitions, with the only blank a 0-0 draw against Al Masry.
“In the Champions League this season, they’ve won all seven home games, scoring 26 and conceding six, keeping just one clean sheet (6-0 vs. Djoliba). Across their two participations in the competition, they’ve lost only one of 11 home games – against Sundowns last season – and drawn one other (2-2 vs. Nouadhibhou). They’ve scored in 10 of those 11 matches.
“Fiston Mayele leads Pyramids in scoring this season with eight goals from 12 appearances, including five since the group stage. Ibrahim Adel follows with six goals, also five from the group stage onward.”
Sundowns facts ahead of the game
“Mamelodi Sundowns are competing in their third Champions League final, after appearances in 2001 and 2016.
“They are the first South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates’ two (1995, 2013). In all three appearances, Sundowns hosted the first leg. In 2001, they drew 1-1 with Al Ahly and lost 2-0 away.
“In 2016, they beat Zamalek 3-0 at home but lost 1-0 away – winning 3-1 on aggregate.
“Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five goals across the two previous second legs. The first leg of this final marked the second time they led at home and failed to win, as also happened in 2001.
“They are unbeaten in their last 10 matches against Egyptian clubs (W4 D6), and have not lost in their last four visits to Egypt (W2 D2).
“A Sundowns win would make them the first team since Al Ahly in 2012 to lift the trophy after failing to win the home leg of the final.”
