A historic CAF Champions League final between two African powerhouses left many hearts shattered, especially those of South African football lovers. After an impressive Champions League run, Mamelodi Sundowns – affectionately known as Abafana baStyle – saw their dreams of becoming the first South African team to lift the prestigious continental title twice come to an end.
Football, as always, reminded us that it’s not about how you start, or who dominates the stats, but rather
about preparation, adaptability, and execution when it matters most. A victory for the Pretoria-based side would have painted a beautiful picture not only for the club but for South African football at large. Hopes were high earlier in the tournament for a possible all-South African final, with both Orlando Pirates and Sundowns showing strong form. A showdown between the two giants would have
been a dream come true for local fans. But those hopes were dashed in the semi-
finals when the Buccaneers were eliminated by the newly crowned Egyptian champions, Pyramids FC.
Pirates had drawn 0-0 at home at the FNB Stadium on April 19, leaving everything to play for in the second leg at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium. Despite their efforts, the Buccaneers couldn’t contain Congolese striker Fiston Mayele, whose clinical finish sealed their fate. Sundowns would suffer a similar heartbreak in the final. The first leg ended 1-1 at Loftus Versfeld, setting up a decisive second leg in Egypt. The return fixture kicked off with both teams eager to make history, and it was filled with tension, drama, and unforgettable moments. One standout moment was the passionate sideline antics of Pyramids’ Croatian coach Krunoslav “Kruno” Jurčić, who wore his heart on his sleeve throughout the match.
Once again, it was Fiston Mayele who haunted South African fans. In the 23rd minute, a miscommunication in Sundowns defense allowed Mayele to pounce on a loose ball and bury it past Ronwen Williams. Despite the setback, Sundowns continued to push forward and came close to equalizing just before halftime, but Mathews couldn’t beat Ahmed El Shenawy in a crucial one-on-one.
In the second half, Sundowns hoped to level the score and take the game to penalties – an area where Williams has proven reliable. But their task became even harder when Pyramids doubled their lead in the 56th minute with a powerful header from a well-executed set-piece. Iqram Rayners gave Sundowns a glimmer of hope with a 75th-minute strike, but they needed one more goal to claim the title on away goals. Head coach Miguel Cardoso threw everything at Pyramids, bringing on Peter Shalulile, Thapelo Morena, Arthur Sales, and Lebo “Batista” Mothiba – who hadn’t featured all season.
Pyramids held firm, and after surviving a tense period of stoppage time and extra minutes, they secured a historic 2-1 victory. The win denied Sundowns the chance to become just the fourth team in CAF Champions League history to win the trophy more than once, joining legends like Al Ahly, TP Mazembe, and Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
Image: Fifa.com
By Olothando Mpapama
Twitter: @Molothando_22
