CAF Champions League: Egypt’s Pyramids FC beat Mamelodi Sundowns to win first-ever title

Pyramids FC won their first TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title. They defeated South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the second leg final. The match took place at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Pretoria. With this win, Pyramids secured a 3-2 aggregate victory. They became the fourth Egyptian club to win this prestigious competition, joining Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily.

Pyramids started strong in front of their enthusiastic home crowd. Fiston Mayele scored the opening goal in the 23rd minute. He fired a low shot into the far corner after a clever play on the right side. This was his ninth goal in the tournament.

Shortly after halftime, Pyramids doubled their lead. Defender Ahmed Samy headed home from a Mohamed Chibi cross in the 56th minute. This goal sent the Cairo crowd into a frenzy.

This victory marks Pyramids' first continental trophy since their founding ten years ago. It also means Egypt has held onto African football's crown for three consecutive years. Al Ahly won titles in 2023 and 2024.

For Sundowns, it was a disappointing night as they sought their second CAF title. They aimed to be the first team since Al Ahly in 2012 to win without a home-leg advantage in the final. Instead, they faced their second defeat in a Champions League final, following their loss to Al Ahly in 2001.