Mamelodi Sundowns conceded at the death to allow Pyramids share the spoils as the first leg of the Caf Champions League final played at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday ended 1-1.
The newly crowned Premier Soccer League champions had not lost against the Egyptian side in the initial meetings; they had managed a draw and a win.
While Pyramids are chasing their first-ever Caf Champions League title, Masandawana came into the match hoping to get the second star following their 2016 triumph.
The Story of missed chances in the first half
Both teams resorted to open play in early proceedings, as attackers tried to get early goals.
In the sixth minute, Khuliso Mudau did well to get into a good area on the right, but his dangerous low cross in search of Arthur Sales was stopped by goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy. The custodian had to be at his best, three minutes later, to deny Iqraam Rayners, who had a good hit from the edge of the box.
Kaizer Chiefs-linked Fiston Mayele was let loose just outside the danger zone, in the 15th minute, managing to get in between Mudau and Grant Kekana, but he failed to hit the target.
Walid El Karti had a chance to test Ronwen Williams following another sloppy play from the Brazilians' defense. The Bafana Bafana captain failed to keep hold of the ball, eventually finding it's way to dangerous Mayele whose effort was deflected out for unfruitful corner.
A good run by Tashreeq Matthews in the 30th minute ended with a foul from Pyramids, 30 yards from the goal, but the defenders did their part to clear the resulting free-kick.
The unmarked Rayners could have done better in the 38th minute when he was picked from a corner ball, but he somehow failed to guide the ball on target much to the relief of El Shenawy.
Concentration lapses cost Sundowns
Sundowns started the second half well, hoping to get a breakthrough, but were kept out by the determined opponents.
Pyramid's resilience was finally breached in the 54th minute; Masandawana hit them on a counterattack. After a melee in the 18-yard area, the ball eventually fell to Lucas Ribeiro who had enough time to pick his spot before guiding the ball home.
The Egyptian outfit responded by initiating a series of attacks, but the experienced Masandawana players did not let them through, clearing all the dangerous blows thrown at them.
Pyramids gave their best in the last quarter of an hour, but were frustrated by their hosts who possessed the ball, and ensured threat is neutralized before it is actualized.
When it looked like the PSL champions have done enough, a cross was played by Mohanaad Lasheen and the waiting El Karti headed it into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Sundowns now have to go for a high-scoring draw or a win in Cairo on June 1 to win the final.
