In a night to forget for South African football, Mamelodi Sundowns’ dreams of playing at the FIFA Club World Cup came crashing down, as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Egypt’s Pyramids FC in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. With a composite score of 3-2, the loss marks a significant disappointment for Sundowns, who were expected to challenge for the prestigious African title.
The match kicked off amid a tense atmosphere, with both teams visibly struggling to find their rhythm following a tightly contested first leg that ended in a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. The disparity in the stakes was apparent, as Pyramids, formed only recently, sought their maiden African title and basked in the support of a boisterous home crowd, despite their previous battles with fan attendance.
As the first half unfolded, Sundowns appeared to falter under the pressure. A moment of miscommunication in defence ultimately proved costly, with Fiston Mayele capitalising on a mistake from Grant Kekana to give Pyramids the lead just before half-time. The Egyptian team carried the momentum into the second half, buoyed by their advantage and the electric atmosphere of a packed stadium.
Just when Sundowns appeared to regain a semblance of control, disaster struck once more. Ahmed Samy sealed the fate of Miguel Cardoso’s side with a beautifully taken free kick, leaving Sundowns trailing 2-0 and their path to glory all but extinguished. In a desperate bid for redemption, Cardoso made tactical adjustments but drew criticism once again for overlooking Themba Zwane, a key player whose absence had been a point of contention after the first leg.
Despite their struggles, Sundowns managed to pull one back with a goal from Iqraam Rayners, but time was not on their side. As the minutes trickled away, so did their chances of rebounding from what many fans viewed as a squandered opportunity for football glory.
With their hopes dashed, Sundowns’ road to the FIFA Club World Cup in June now appears bleak. They were set to represent Africa against formidable opponents including Ulsan HD from South Korea, Borussia Dortmund of Germany, and Fluminense from Brazil. This latest setback has raised questions about the team’s future direction and resilience in the face of such poignant disappointment.