Pyramids FC wrote their name into African football history on Sunday night, clinching their first-ever CAF Champions League title with a hard-fought 2-1 win over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
The Egyptian Premier League side lifted the trophy with a 3-2 aggregate score after drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Pretoria. Fiston Mayele and Ahmed Samy were on target for Pyramids, while Iqraam Rayners gave Sundowns a lifeline in the second half. Despite a relentless late surge and VAR drama, Pyramids held firm.
After the final whistle, an emotional Pyramids head coach Krunoslav Jurcic admitted to being at a loss for words.
I don't know what to say. We achieved the accomplishment and were able to win the African Championship, and we deserved it,” the Croatian tactician told beIN SPORTS. “In the end, this championship is a reward for all of us and for the work we have done.
Jurcic also made a heartfelt tribute to the fans who packed the stadium and powered the team on through a tense evening.
There were many fans who came behind the team. I asked the Egyptian fans to support us, and I thank them for coming and for giving us the energy that helped us win. We were all together,” he added.
This historic win sees Pyramids FC become only the fourth Egyptian club to lift the prestigious Champions League trophy, joining the ranks of Ismaily SC, Al Ahly SC, and Zamalek SC. Including Arab Contractors’ CAF Cup triumph, they are now the fifth Egyptian side to claim a continental title.
The victory also adds to Egypt’s rich history in the competition, increasing the nation’s tally to nineteen Champions League titles cementing its place as African club football’s most successful country.
