By: Kwame Bediako
Egyptian club Pyramids FC secured their first-ever CAF Champions League title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday, 1 June 2025.
The second-leg win gave them a 3-2 aggregate score, marking a historic achievement for the club and cementing their place among Egypt’s elite in African football. The victory was celebrated as a deserved triumph after a tense and competitive final that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Pyramids took an early lead through Fiston Mayele, who capitalised on a defensive mistake by Sundowns in the 23rd minute. His precise shot into the bottom corner put the hosts ahead, energising Egyptian supporters.
Despite Sundowns’ efforts to mount a comeback, Pyramids’ solid defence and tactical discipline kept them at bay for much of the match, especially during the second half when the South African side pushed hard for an equaliser.
In the 56th minute, Ahmed Samy doubled Pyramids’ advantage with a powerful header from a free-kick, extending their lead and putting them firmly in control. Sundowns responded with determination, pulling a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with just 15 minutes remaining.
The visitors searched desperately for an equaliser—which would have handed them the title on the away goals rule—but Pyramids’ resilient defence held firm under heavy pressure.
Despite being underdogs with less experience in African competition, Pyramids showed remarkable resilience and tactical cohesion. Their victory makes them the fourth Egyptian team to lift the Champions League trophy, joining giants Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily.
Sundowns, the 2016 champions, now head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a disappointing note.
The defeat adds to the woes of Sundowns’ Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, who also lost last year’s final with Esperance. Though favoured for their experience, the South African side were outmatched by Pyramids’ disciplined approach.
