Pyramids FC find late equalizer, seize advantage at Sundowns in first leg of CAF Champions League final
- Andrew Olsson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns squandered a narrow lead in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final on Saturday, conceding a late equalizer to draw 1-1 with Egypt's Pyramids FC. Lucas Ribeiro's finish early in the second half gave Sundowns a slight lead before Walid El Karti's late header silenced the home support at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Ribeiro, top scorer in South Africa's Betway Premiership this season, calmly curled his finish past a wall of Pyramids defenders after Aubrey Modiba's deflected shot fell kindly to the Brazilian playmaker in the 54th minute. However, the visitors from Egypt scrapped a late equalizer and precious away goal to take back to Cairo for the second leg next Sunday.
Pyramids attempted to maintain their attacking style of play, making for an entertaining start to the final. The two teams exchanged opportunities in the early stages with Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy forced into action to push away a powerful shot from Sundowns forward Iqraam Rayners in the 10th minute.
Pyramids then created a couple of chances with striker Fiston Mayele poking his shot just wide in the 16th minute. The Congolese then fired over from close range from an Ibrahim Adel cross a few minutes later in what was Pyramids' best scoring opportunity.
The match calmed down into a tactical battle after the opening twenty minutes with few shot attempts. However, Sundowns caught their opponents off guard early in the second half when right back Khuliso Mudau played a combination pass and got behind on the right wing to set up the goal scoring sequence with his low cross.
However, when it appeared Sundowns would take a slight advantage to Egypt, El Karti struck. Deep into second half stoppage time, Mohanad Lasheen's perfect cross from the left wing bounced in a dangerous place and El Karti arrived at the far post to head past Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams from close range.
The two teams will meet again next Sunday in Cairo (17:00 GMT), where Sundowns will look to win their first CAF Champions League since 2016 while Pyramids attempt to claim their first-ever continental trophy.
