A dramatic late own goal sent Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa past defending champions Al Ahly on Friday, setting up a clash with fellow Egyptian side Pyramids in next month’s African Champions League final.
In the dying moments of the semi-final second leg in Cairo, Al Ahly defender Yasser Ibrahim inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. The match ended 1-1, and Sundowns advanced on the away goals rule, knocking out the Egyptian giants.
Later in Cairo, Pyramids staged a thrilling comeback to defeat South Africa’s Orlando Pirates 3-2. Fiston Mayele scored twice to power the hosts into their first-ever Champions League final, where they will meet Sundowns. The first leg is set for May 24th in Pretoria, with the return leg scheduled for June 1st in Cairo.
Both first-leg semi-finals had ended goalless last weekend, giving the Egyptian clubs a home advantage heading into the decisive matches.
Al Ahly, the powerhouse of African club football, were chasing a sixth consecutive final appearance. They seemed on course when Taher Mohamed blasted in a superb goal from the right in the 24th minute, thrilling a near-capacity crowd dressed in the club’s traditional red at Cairo International Stadium.
Ahly only needed to maintain their lead to book another final berth, but Sundowns applied pressure in the second half, creating several half-chances before throwing on additional attackers late in the game.
Their equaliser, however, came by sheer luck, as the ball ricocheted off an unsighted Ibrahim’s leg during a chaotic goalmouth scramble and trickled into the net, securing Sundowns’ spot in their third Champions League final — their first since 2016.
Meanwhile, at the Air Defence Stadium, Pirates took the lead in the 40th minute after Pyramids failed to clear a free kick, allowing 20-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng to smash home a right-footed half-volley.
Pyramids responded swiftly, equalising just four minutes later when Mostafa Fathy delivered a cross that Congolese striker Fiston Mayele chested into the net.
Pirates reclaimed the advantage early in the second half with a thunderous strike from Mohau Nkota, but substitute Ramadan Sobhi levelled again with a header shortly after coming on.
Mayele then completed the comeback six minutes from time, pouncing on a rebound from a corner to seal Pyramids’ historic progression to the final.
