Mamelodi Sundowns eye redemption in Cairo after late slip in CAF Champions League final first leg
Image: Backpagepix
After finally breaking their CAF Champions League semi-final curse, Mamelodi Sundowns must overcome a defensive obstacle in order to boost their silverware chances.
Sundowns are in the continental showpiece final for the first time since winning the crown in 2016, having exited in the semi-finals in the past two seasons. However, they did not start the first leg of the two-legged final on a positive note, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by fellow finalists Pyramids at home, Loftus Versfeld, last Saturday.
Sundowns allowed Pyramids to sneak in the equaliser deep in stoppage time, giving the Egyptian side a crucial away goal advantage heading into the second leg in Cairo on Sunday night (7pm kick-off).
𝑹𝑶𝑨𝑫 𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑳 𝑶𝑭 𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑳𝑺 🌍🏆
As the team prepares for the biggest test yet, Jayden Adams, club legend Tiyani Mabunda, and supporter Lindiwe Mashele carry the heart and hope of Masandawana into the second leg. 🙌
The journey continues, Watch Episode 6… pic.twitter.com/8g3O9FaDkl — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 27, 2025
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Despite being the best team domestically — with eight successive Premiership titles — and one of the most consistent on the continent, lapses in concentration have plagued Sundowns' cup campaigns. The Brazilians have often conceded late, costly goals that have derailed their ambitions.
They have suffered similar setbacks in Africa, including Mothobi Mvala's own goal in the dying moments of last year's semi-final second leg against Wydad Casablanca. With the need to score and avoid conceding in Cairo, Mvala has spoken openly about what must change for the team to progress.
Final session before we jet off to Cairo. All focused on the mission ahead. 😤#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/iVukUj98yG — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 27, 2025
'Conceding in the last minutes of the game hurts a lot — especially when you look at the last few big tournaments,' Mvala said.
'In knockout games, that's when we actually lose concentration. The same thing happened against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final, Magesi in the Carling Knockout final, and Wydad.
'The only thing we need to do now is defend with the ball. Keep possession and not allow them to regain it or deliver crosses into the box. If you recall, in all our games towards the end, we always concede from crosses, and that's something we're aware of and trying our best to stop.'
Mvala has not featured as much as he would have liked in the Champions League knockout stage due to a lengthy injury layoff. However, having regained full fitness, he is ready to contribute when needed — especially with a clean sheet being pivotal in the second leg.
Mothobi Mvala after the victory in Egypt 🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/LuoXaT4MRB — K.L.16 (@LangaKhulekani) April 27, 2025
'Definitely, I am still part of the team. For me, it's about supporting the guys who are playing, because they've been doing well,' Mvala said.
'Grant (Kekana) has been doing well — I think he has played in almost all the games. Mosa (Lebusa) and Mali (Khozai) came in and have also done well.
'So, it becomes very difficult for the coach to take them out and put me in. I am happy with the way the coach has managed me.
'Hopefully, I'll get my chance, but the guys have been doing well. I just have to wait for my opportunity.'
Sundowns have enjoyed productive trips to Cairo in recent years — including a 1-1 draw with Al Ahly in the semi-final second leg that booked their spot in the final.
'We've been lucky in Egypt, so hopefully that luck will be with us again against Pyramids,' Mvala said.
'Playing against them in Egypt is always going to be tough. The nice thing is that we've played them before. Hopefully, lady luck will smile on us again.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Ackermann eyes culture shift at Bulls: It's not about you
New Bulls boss Johan Ackermann has promised a values-driven approach, aiming to build a team that wins with humility and unity. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Johan Ackermann wants to change the Bulls — and not just on the field. The new coach, appointed in the wake of Jake White's departure earlier this month, is fully aware that it will be there — on the field — where he will ultimately be judged by the majority of South Africans. But on Wednesday, Ackermann laid out a broader vision: to develop not just better rugby players, but better people. 'I want a team that works hard,' said Ackermann in his first media appointment as head coach from Loftus Versveld. 'So, if you're not willing to work hard, it's going to be a problem. I want a team that — he says — is a serving team … it's not about you. You must serve the team first. 'It is about picking up a thing that lies around, giving somebody water first before you drink it, caring for your teammates and those around you… You have the opportunity to treat people, so how do you treat them? 'If we have that respect and trust for each other, that will be important. 'The last thing is, I said (to the players), I want to trust you. If I say something you don't like, tell me immediately. 'The style of play,' the 55-year-old added, 'I don't want to say too much about that. That is something that we must keep to ourselves, but I will say that, hopefully, the supporters will enjoy the style of play.' Ackermann inherits arguably the best team in South Africa. Under White, the Bulls reached three United Rugby Championship finals in four years. They lost all three, which seemingly resulted in an unhealthy degree of frustration creeping into the changeroom. Recent reports suggest that a player revolt terminated White's relationship with the team and the union — the aforementioned of which were unhappy with the former World Cup-winning coach's comments regarding their skillsets, or lack thereof, after their final loss to Leinster. Ackermann was careful not to cast judgement on what had come before but reiterated a belief that the squad he will be working with in the coming months has the capacity to remain at the forefront of South African rugby. "It's always difficult to make any comments from the outside,' said Ackermann. 'I think the reality is, if you haven't worked with a player, you haven't worked with a team, it is difficult to make any conclusions. 'For me, the first thing is to get to know each player, each talent — what their strengths are and what they can do. Then you can put a plan in place according to those players' strengths and then change tactics and etcetera. 'I do believe it's a good squad.' Ackermann arrived in Pretoria earlier this week after helping the Junior Springboks win the bronze medal at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, and intends to first familiarise himself with the structures and resources of the Bulls. As such, he will have a limited role — initially — in the upcoming Currie Cup campaign, with the possibility of it expanding if required. The Bulls start that campaign this weekend against Western Province under the guidance of coach Phiwe Nonlomo. That game kicks off at 5.10pm on Saturday from Cape Town Stadium.
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Gabriela Salgado undergoes surgery after gruesome injury in Banyana's Wafcon exit
On the mend SAFA say Gabriela Salgado underwent a successful operation after breaking her leg in Banyana Banyana's Women's African Cup of Nations semi-final loss to Nigeria on Tuesday. Photo: Nour Aknajja/BackpagePix Image: Nour Aknajja/BackpagePix The South African Football Association has given an update on Gabriela Salgado, who suffered a horror injury in Banyana Banyana's heartbreaking Women's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final loss on Tuesday. With the game evenly poised at 1-1 and entering the final minutes, Salgado collided with a Nigerian opponent, leaving nearby teammates visibly distressed. After being stabilised by paramedics, she was later stretchered off the field, with Nigerian fans chanting 'Gabby! Gabby! Gabby!' The South Africans never recovered after the incident, and Nigeria were able to capitalise through a stoppage-time winner by Michelle Alozie, sending them to the final and knocking Desiree Ellis' team out of the tournament. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Salgado was taken to the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Casablanca, where she had to undergo surgery. 'Gabi sustained a fracture of the mid-shaft of her left leg during the fixture against Nigeria and underwent a successful surgery,' said Banyana Banyana team doctor, Dr Lindi Mokoena. 'She will be out of action for the rest of the year, but we are pleased that she received exceptional care from the medical team of Banyana Banyana, CAF, and the hospital. 'We were fully confident and comfortable with the procedure being performed in Morocco and would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to CAF and the dedicated staff at the Mohamed VI University Hospital for their professionalism and outstanding support during this time.' On Wednesday, Salgado, in hospital, received a message of encouragement from South African president Cyril Ramaphosa. 'Today, our thoughts are with Banyana Banyana's Gabriela Salgado as we wish her a comfortable and speedy recovery from her traumatic injury in last night's WAFCON semi-final against a victorious Nigeria,' a statement from the president read. 'I know you're a woman of deep and public faith, Gabriela, and you're a woman of bravery and skill on the pitch. The nation wishes you well. Casablanca was always going to be a tough ask for our national team as Africa's defending champions, and Nigeria's breakthrough in referee's optional time proved this. 'We are confident Banyana Banyana will regroup and return to WAFCON as future champs. We wish Nigeria's Super Falcons and Morocco's Atlas Lionesses well for Saturday's dream home final for the host nation.' Banyana will go up against Ghana in Friday's third-place play-off. IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
13 hours ago
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns pounce on star after Livingston visa blow
Mamelodi Sundowns look poised to land their first signing of the transfer window as they close in on a deal with highly-rated forward Aphelele Teto. Teto appears to have reached a mutual agreement with Scottish side Livingston FC to part ways after yet another failed visa application halted his move to the William Hill Premiership. The 22-year-old initially joined Livingston in 2023 on a four-year contract, having caught their attention during a European tour with TS Galaxy. However, bureaucratic red tape around work permits in the UK scuppered his plans before they could take off. Last season, Teto joined Chippa United on loan, a spell that earned him two international caps for Bafana Bafana in the CHAN qualifiers against Egypt. His national team appearances had briefly reignited hopes of qualifying for a work permit. Under the Scottish FA's rules, foreign players must meet strict benchmarks, such as a minimum percentage of national team appearances and a high FIFA ranking, to qualify for a permit. Although Teto's performances showed promise, they failed to tip the scale in his favour. 'The club can appeal to an Exceptions Panel,' explained a source familiar with the situation, 'but despite his international games, securing the visa remained an uphill battle.' With Livingston no longer able to hold onto the winger, Sundowns have made their move. The Premiership giants are believed to be offering Teto a permanent deal, seizing the opportunity to secure a dynamic attacker with international experience. Insiders say Livingston will continue tracking Teto's development. Keeping the door open for a future return to Europe once the visa hurdles are resolved. Concerns over the impact of repeated loan moves on his growth reportedly influenced Sundowns' decision to sign him outright. Offering Teto the stability he needs to reignite his career and push for more Bafana Bafana appearances. Will Teto make an impact at Mamelodi Sundowns? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
