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Pyramids FC drew 1-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday thanks to a stoppage-time header from Walid El Karti, depriving Mamelodi Sundowns of a first-leg victory in the 2024–25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final.
Lucas Ribeiro Costa had put the home team ahead in the second half, but the Egyptian visitors equalised late in the game due to a lack of focus, securing a thrilling second leg in Cairo next month.
Sundowns’ attempts by Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales came just short, while the visitors’ speculative attempts by Fiston Mayele and Ibrahim Adel put Ronwen Williams to the test.
After the break, the game came alive Costa grabbed a loose ball in the box and rifled it home with his left foot past Ahmed El Shenawy in the 54th minute to give Sundowns the lead and send the Pretoria fans into a frenzy.
Pyramids demonstrated their tenacity as the game moved into stoppage time El Karti, was unmarked in the six-yard box after Mohanad Lasheen’s accurate cross, and the Moroccan forward silenced the home crowd with a precise header into the bottom corner.
As a result, the match is evenly matched going into the return leg in Cairo on June 1, when the new CAF Champions League trophy will be raised for the first time.
The draw is a noteworthy outcome for Pyramids’ first-ever appearance in the final and prolongs their undefeated streak in the elimination stages.
Sundowns’ regret at giving up so late will be lessened by a strong showing that might still pay off in the rematch.
The draw demonstrated the calibre of African club football to a worldwide audience, with the game being televised in more than 28 international territories, including important European and African markets.
Now, both teams focus on getting ready for the pivotal match in Cairo, where a new chapter in the continent’s top club championship will be written and history will be created.
