South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Egypt’s Pyramids FC will battle to be crowned the ‘Kings of African Football’ when they met in the two legs of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League Final, set to be played on Saturday 24 May and Sunday 1 June.
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Match background
Sundowns earned their place in the Champions League final (for the third time overall, adding to their triumph in 2016 and a runners-up finish in 2001) after finishing second in Group B behind ASFAR, before overcoming Esperance de Tunis (1-0 on aggregate) and Al Ahly (1-1 on aggregate, advance on away goals) in the quarterfinal and semifinal respectively.
Pyramids FC have reached the Champions League final for the first time (though they have also appeared in the final of the Confederation Cup in 2020, losing to RS Berkane) after finishing second in Group D behind Esperance de Tunis, before overcoming ASFAR (4-3 on aggregate) and Orlando Pirates (3-2 on aggregate).
This final will played across two legs, with the first taking place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday 24 May, while the return game is set for the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday 1 June.
What the teams are saying
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso on the qualities that have brought Sundowns to the final:
“We trust in a club that supports and gives [us] [the resources] to work hard, and trust in our families that are at home, the love we receive, trust in our supporters that are in South Africa. Basically, in brotherhood, we trust.”
Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurcic on the excitement of playing in the Champions League final:
“The [second leg of the] final will be played at our home ground. I hope 35,000 fans fill the stadium because we’ll be playing in the name of Egypt. My team reached the final because they deserve it. We don’t need support—just tell the players: you are in the final of Africa!”
Players to watch
Mamelodi Sundowns – Lucas Ribeiro
The Brazilian attacker has enjoyed a brilliant campaign for Mamelodi Sundowns, especially in domestic competitions. He will want to leave his mark on the Champions League and dominate the two legs of this final against Pyramids FC, thereby helping Sundowns become continental kings for just the second time.
Pyramids FC – Fiston Mayele
The DR Congo attacker has scored five goals in the Champions League this season (making him the co-leading marksman, alongside teammate Ibrahim Adel and Al Ahly’s Emam Ashour) – none more important than the strike which eliminated Orlando Pirates in the previous round and put Pyramids into their first Champions League final.
Head-to-head
In head-to-head stats, Sundowns and Pyramids have met in just two previous matches. Both were in the group stage of the 2023-24 Champions League, with the teams drawing 0-0 in Pretoria, while Sundowns claimed a 1-0 away win in Cairo thanks to a goal from Teboho Mokoena.
Sundowns have played 26 matches against Egyptian opposition down the years, with a record of 10 wins, 9 draws and 7 defeats. Pyramids’ record against South African teams is played 6, won 1, drawn 3, lost 2.
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Broadcast details
Saturday 24 May
15:00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Pyramids FC – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4
Sunday 1 June
19:00: Pyramids FC v Mamelodi Sundowns – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4