CAF Champions League
A bridge too far for FAR Rabat as Pyramids book historic Champions League semi-final spot
Pyramids FC made history on Tuesday night by qualifying for their first-ever CAF Champions League semi-final, edging out Morocco’s FAR Rabat despite a 2-0 defeat in the second leg at the Stade d’Honneur in Meknes.
The Egyptian side progressed 4-3 on aggregate after their emphatic 4-1 win in Cairo last week gave them a crucial cushion heading into the away leg.
That first-leg advantage proved decisive, as the Royal Army fell just one goal short of completing an incredible comeback in front of their home fans.
The Moroccan Royal Army started fast, hoping to wipe off a three-goal deficit. They nearly did, but fell just short.
Backed by a lively crowd in Meknes, the Moroccan outfit came out firing. Youssef El-Fahli opened the scoring in just the seventh minute, raising hopes of an early resurgence.
The early strike injected confidence into the Royal Army’s play as they surged forward in waves, firing full cylinders as they were determined to erase the deficit.
Pyramids, however, responded swiftly. Defender Mohamed Hamdy nearly silenced the crowd with a powerful header in the 12th minute, only to be denied by goalkeeper Hamza Hayani, who tipped it wide.
Despite the mounting pressure, Pyramids remained composed at the back, with veteran goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy delivering a composed performance to keep his side’s aggregate lead intact through the first half.
Second-half tension and late drama
The restart saw FAR Rabat players maintain their momentum. El-Fahli had a golden opportunity to grab a second just minutes in, but El-Shenawy was equal to the challenge once again, making two vital saves in quick succession.
The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute when substitute Joel Villa struck the second goal, setting up a nervy finish.
The Moroccans continued to push, and in the 93rd minute, they were inches away from a third when Zahzouh’s free-kick narrowly missed the target.
Pyramids held on through five minutes of added time, showing grit and resilience to protect their narrow aggregate lead and book a place in the last four of the continent’s premier club competition.
The Egyptian club will now await the winner of the other quarter-final between Orlando Pirates and MC Alger. Pirates hold a slender 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg on Wednesday.
For Pyramids FC, this is a landmark achievement in their short but ambitious history. Having risen rapidly through Egyptian football in recent years, the club now finds itself among the continent’s elite with a shot at continental glory.
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Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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