This Saturday, May 24, all eyes of African football fans are on Pretoria, South Africa, where the iconic Loftus Versfeld Stadium will host the first leg of the CAF Champions League final between home side Mamelodi Sundowns and Egypt’s Pyramids FC.
This is more than just a match – it's a continuation of the intense football rivalry between two of Africa's footballing powerhouses: South Africa and Egypt.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Historic Champions Hungry for a Second Title
Mamelodi Sundowns, known for their entertaining and disciplined style of play, are featuring in their third CAF Champions League final. They won the title once before, in 2016, when they defeated Egypt’s Zamalek. Before that, they reached the final in 2001 but lost to Al Ahly.
Their road to this year’s final was anything but easy. They eliminated defending champions Al Ahly in the semi-finals with a thrilling performance, which boosted their confidence and ignited their hunger for a second continental crown.
Pyramids FC: Ambitious Newcomers with Big Dreams
On the other hand, Pyramids FC are writing history. This is their first ever CAF Champions League final since the club was founded. It’s only their second season in this competition, having previously spent four seasons in the CAF Confederation Cup.
They reached the final by defeating another South African club, Orlando Pirates, in the semi-finals – setting up this symbolic “grudge match” against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Head-to-Head Record
These two sides have only met twice before – last season when they were in the same group (Group A). The first encounter in South Africa ended goalless, while Sundowns won the return leg in Cairo 1-0. Will history repeat itself today, or will Pyramids turn the tide and script a new chapter?
Massive Prize at Stake
Beyond the pride of being crowned African champions, the winner of this final will take home $4 million (approx. TSh 10.7 billion), while the runner-up will earn $2 million (approx. TSh 5.4 billion). Truly, this is a final with both sporting glory and financial rewards.
Match Details and Referees
The first leg kicks off today at 4:00 PM CAT (East Africa Time). The center referee will be Mahmood Ismail from Sudan. The return leg is scheduled for June 1 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, kicking off at 9:00 PM EAT, with Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan in charge.
Conclusion
This is not just any final – it’s a battle of prestige, history, and national pride. Will Mamelodi Sundowns maintain their dominance over Egyptian sides, or will Pyramids answer back and lift their first-ever continental title? Let’s wait for the 90 minutes – or perhaps more – to find out who will be crowned kings of African football in 2025.
