SUNDAY JUNE 1, 2025: CAIRO DECIDES THE KING OF AFRICA!

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June 1, 2025 CAF Champions League final - second leg Cairo - 7:00 PM

Pyramids FC -Mamelodi Sundowns, 

This is a historic moment for African football! For the first time in more than two decades, a new name will be engraved on the CAF Champions League trophy. Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns are fighting for the continental crown after an exciting 1-1 draw in the first final in Pretoria. The Egyptian team has a chance to become the first club outside the traditional powers Al Ahly and Zamalek to win the African crown since the beginning of the millennium.

Pyramids FC is writing an incredible story. A club that didn't exist on the football map just a few years ago now stands 90 minutes away from historic triumph. The path to the final wasn't easy - they finished second in the group, which meant a tougher draw in the knockout phase. But that's exactly what made them a stronger team.

In the quarterfinals they beat Moroccan FAR Rabat 4-3 over two legs, then in the semifinals they eliminated South African Orlando Pirates 3-2 in a dramatic encounter. Every match showed the growth and resilience of a team that no longer considers itself an outsider.

The key number - Pyramids are unbeaten at home all season. In all competitions they drew only three times, winning all other home matches. That's a statistic that could mean the difference between celebration and disappointment in the decisive final.

Ibrahim Adel with 5 goals is their top scorer of the season, while Ramadan Sobhi with 5 assists is the main playmaker. But the hero of the first final was Walid El Karti, who scored the equalizing goal in the 90+5 minute - a goal that could change the history of the entire club.

Mamelodi Sundowns are not newcomers to the CAF Champions League. In 2016 they won the entire competition, beating Egyptian Zamalek in the final. For the Pretoria club, this is a chance to prove that their triumph was no fluke and that they belong permanently among the African elite.

Their path to the final was just as dramatic as Pyramids'. In the quarterfinals they narrowly beat Tunisian Esperance 1-0 over two legs. The semifinal against Al Ahly brought two tension-filled matches - 0-0 at home and 1-1 in Cairo, advancing thanks to the away goals rule. But beware - this rule doesn't apply in the final.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa scored the opening goal in the 54th minute of the first final and showed that Sundowns know how to decide important matches. Peter Shalulile with 3 goals is their top scorer, while Ronwen Williams has 1 assist to his name - surprising for a goalkeeper.

The problem is they're not as dominant away as they are at home. In their last six away matches they have a record of 2-3-1. In the decisive final in Cairo, this could be crucial.

The first final at Loftus Versfeld brought exactly the drama that fans expected. Mamelodi dominated for most of the match, had more of the game, and deservedly led after Lucas Ribeiro Costa's goal in the 54th minute. But Pyramids showed why they're in the final - they're deadly dangerous on counter-attacks.

The Egyptian team was weaker for most of the match but remained extremely efficient and dangerous on quick breaks. And it was precisely this tactic that decided in the final seconds - Walid El Karti equalized in the 90+5 minute and Pyramids returned to Cairo with live chances for the title.

Pyramids return home unbeaten, which is a huge psychological advantage. Egyptian support will be crucial - the home atmosphere in Cairo is legendary and can decide a balanced match. Pyramids fans know they're witnessing history and their energy will transfer to the players.

For Sundowns it will be crucial to ignore the atmosphere and focus on their game. Experience from 2016 can help them - they once managed to win on African soil outside South Africa. But the pressure will be enormous.

For Pyramids, just participating in the final is already a huge success, but now they want more. Being the first Egyptian team outside Al Ahly and Zamalek to win the CAF Champions League in the last 20 years would be a revolution in Egyptian football.

Sundowns have experience winning big trophies. They've already won the league in South Africa and are focusing entirely on the final second leg. They have nothing to lose - if they lose, they remain a team with one African title. If they win, they become one of the continent's biggest clubs.

After the first final, each team had a different schedule. Sundowns, who already secured the title in the South African league, could focus exclusively on the second leg. Pyramids had to play the last round of the Egyptian Premier League, but handled it brilliantly - they thrashed Ceramica Cleopatra 5-1.

Such a victory could be huge encouragement before the final, especially when playing at home in Cairo. But they didn't win the league title - Al Ahly also won and secured the championship for the third time in a row. This means for Pyramids this is the last chance to end the season with historic success.

In the 2023/24 season the teams met twice in the group - both matches were low-scoring with results of 0-0 in South Africa and 1-0 for Sundowns in Egypt. This time it's about much more than table points.

Key factors that will decide the final include home atmosphere - Cairo could be Pyramids' twelfth player. Nerves will play a role - who better handles the pressure of the historic moment. Tactical changes by coaches must react correctly during the match. Key moments like set pieces, penalties, and individual errors could decide. And sometimes in finals, luck decides too.

Given the character of both teams and the importance of the match, a cautious start with minimal risks is expected. Finals rarely forgive mistakes and the stakes couldn't be higher. But home advantage and Pyramids' perfect home record make them slight favorites.

One team will fulfill their dream, the other will remain just a footnote in history. But both teams can already be proud of what they've achieved.

The decisive final takes place Sunday, June 1, at 7:00 PM in Cairo.