CAF Champions League Final Preview: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs Pyramids FC (EGY)
- Andrew Olsson
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
The final of Africa's premier club competition is finally here! South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns clash with Egyptian big spenders Pyramids FC in the final of the CAF Champions League with the first leg taking place on Saturday in Pretoria.
Read all about both clubs in our preview below:
Leg 1- Saturday, May 24 (13:00 GMT) in Pretoria, South Africa
Leg 2- Sunday, June 1 (17:00 GMT) in Cairo, Egypt
Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
This is a massive opportunity for Mamelodi Sundowns to confirm that they are not only capable of competing with the best clubs of Africa, but have actually surpassed the established powerhouse clubs of North Africa. Masandawana took down the most successful clubs of Tunisian and Egyptian football, Espérance de Tunis and Al Ahly, leaving only Pyramids in their way now.
Known for their high-powered attack and attractive style of play that has dominated South African football for the last eight seasons, this edition features a more pragmatic team under experienced coach Miguel Cardoso. Despite their many honors and trophies in South African football, Sundowns have not captured the CAF Champions League since winning the 2016 edition.
Head Coach: Miguel Cardoso
An experienced tactician who is known for a results-oriented style of play that has brought him both criticism and praise, Cardoso is an example of a football coach who did not play the sport as a professional. His first coaching job came in his native Portugal when he was in his early twenties, beginning a journey that has seen him coach in Ukraine, Spain, France, Greece and most recently in Tunisia with Espérance.
Cardoso has praised the unity and positive atmosphere at Sundowns since joining at the end of 2024. Brought in to help the club earn continental trophies, it must be said that Cardoso has done excellently to mentor the club to grind out results in close games, something Sundowns previously struggled with against North Africa's top clubs in the latter stages of the Champions League.
Defense
The defensive unit of Sundowns begins and ends with their star goalkeeper, South Africa national team custodian Ronwen Williams. The veteran groomed at SuperSport United has removed many of the questionable decision-making and mistakes on the pitch, allowing his brilliant shot stopping and distribution abilities to shine.
In front of Williams is an experienced defensive line that is led by experienced central defender Grant Kekana and fullbacks Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba. Modiba and Mudau have the capabilities to shut down opposing wingers while offering plenty of attacking skill moving forward.
Partnering Kekana in the middle will be either another veteran, Mosa Lebusa, or rising talent Malibongwe Khoza. After a costly mistake by on loan Argentinean defender Lucas Suarez in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup, it appears that Cardoso has moved on to his domestic options in the heart of the defense.
Attack
The Sundowns midfield and attack revolves around three players who each play crucial roles. Central midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Chilean Marcelo Allende continue to form a dynamic duo. Allende is a sparkplug who bounces around to initiate attacks while Mokoena is a calm figure known for his special technical abilities with regards to passing and shooting from distance.
Ribeiro is the focal point of a three-player attack, being given a free role to drift around and cause problems for the opposition with his goal scoring and dribbling skills. Jayden Adams is another player to watch who can play a central attacking midfield role with a more physically imposing presence to get on the end of crosses. Ribeiro can operate in a wide role if Cardoso decides to use Adams in his XI.
The forward line is where Cardoso has difficult decisions to make. Iqraam Rayners has been the most prolific scorer for Sundowns, narrowly missing out to Ribeiro for the league's top scorer. It appears he is likely to be selected ahead of record-setting Peter Shalulile, the Namibian who is known for his lethal finishing in South African competitions but is notably less productive in the CAF Champions League.
Of course, Brazilian big money signing Arthur Sales is a wildcard for Cardoso. Previously labeled a bust after a poor start to life at Sundowns, the young forward has built up his confidence the last few months and Cardoso has clearly taken a liking to his fellow Lusophone.
Pyramids FC (EGY)
While Sundowns are looking to end a continental trophy drought by their high standards, Pyramids FC want to begin a dynasty. Coming into existence less than ten years ago after a rebranding of little-known club Al Assiouty Sport, Pyramids were formed with the combination of foreign influence and money as well as club leadership from Al Ahly legends Hossam El Badry and Ahmed Hassan.
The club have spent their way into relevance in both Egyptian football and CAF club competitions, having reached the final of the 2019-20 CAF Confederation Cup. However, they only have last season's Egypt Cup triumph to show for their efforts and the CAF Champions League is the ultimate prize for a club that is living in the shadow of well known fellow Cairo club Ahly and Zamalek.
Head Coach: Krunoslav Jurčić
The Croatian coach and former Croatia national team player spent his early managerial career in his native Croatia as well as neighboring Slovenia before moving to Turkish football in 2016 with Adanaspor. An odyssey through the Gulf region led to stops in Saudi Arabia with the national team and Al-Nassr before a spell in the United Arab Emirates.
After three years out of management, Pyramids brought in Jurčić in 2024 for the purpose of implementing an attractive style of play based around possession. The 55-year-old has largely succeeded in his mission and unlike the previous North African opponents Mamelodi Sundowns defeated, it appears that Jurčić will not abandon his principles against an intimidating attack. It will be interesting to see if the coach adjusts his game plan for a unique opponent in the final.
Defense
The Pyramids defense is built around experience. Goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy is a brilliant shot stopper on his best day and the center of the defense features strength with Ahmed Samy emerging as the most reliable central defender. Veteran Ali Gabr may partner with Samy for this massive occasion but it appears more likely that Mahmoud Marei will get the nod.
The fullbacks are possibly Pyramids' greatest strength. Moroccan right back Mohamed Chibi and Egyptian left back Mohamed Hamdy are excellent at getting forward with overlapping runs to provide service for the attack.
In the midfield, Burkina Faso international Ibrahim Touré is a tireless engine who is likely to be joined by a more technical option in Moroccan Walid El Karti. Ahmed Tawfik is an experienced and versatile option who can play in defense or midfield.
Attack
After missing out on the semifinal against Orlando Pirates, the Pyramids FC attack received a massive boost with the return of Ibrahim Adel. After leading Egypt to the 2024 Olympic Games in France last year, rumors of a transfer abroad continue to get louder and louder.
While it is clear that this issue has impacted Adel's happiness at Pyramids this season, he is enjoying a productive season and is a dynamic attacker who is among the best in African club football. Adel's role will be elevated even more since Mostafa Fathi is confirmed to be unavailable for at least the first leg of the final.
But of course the striker position is important and Pyramids have plenty of firepower in the form of Congolese hitman Fiston Mayele.
After a strong debut season for Pyramids in the 2023-24 season, the former Young Africans star has not been as productive in the Egyptian Premier League but has more than made up for it with his Champions League performances. Mayele and Adel are co-leading scorers in the competition with Al Ahly's Emam Ashour.
