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
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Gayton McKenzie dodges what LIV Golf event will do for development of golf in SA
Following the announcement on Saturday that LIV Golf will be heading to South Africa in 2026, SA minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie could not give a definitive answer about what the hosting of the big-money event would do for the development of the game in the country. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL Image: Michael Sherman/IOL Following the announcement on Saturday that LIV Golf will be heading to South Africa in 2026, SA Minister of Sports Gayton McKenzie did not say what the event will do for the development of golf in the country. The Saudi-funded tournament will be held at the exclusive Steyn City, in Johannesburg, from March 20 to 22 next year. The event will have a strong home contingent representing the nation with Stingers GC featuring Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace. LIV Golf events, as its name is derived from the Roman numerals for 54, have three 18-hole rounds and currently do not carry world rankings points for the tournaments. 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 ✕ McKenzie on Golf's Elitist Perception and LIV's Impact on SA Golf Development With tickets well over R500 (30 US dollars per person), although children under 12 will have free entry, it's difficult to see new fans attending the event. When asked by IOL what the event will do for SA golf development, McKenzie dodged the question: 'I think the uncomfortable truth about this great sport called golf is that it has not truly broken through to the poorest of the poor or the underprivileged in our country, and the masses of black people. 'Golf is still seen, unfortunately so, despite the hard work that the people that are involved, but they've not truly made it a sport for everyone. It is still seen as an elitist sport in a country of 60 million people. 'It's an expensive sport. LIV wants, when they leave, to leave an impact behind.' McKenzie though, said local artists would also feature in the entertainment at the events. 'We're also going to have headliners, which we've discussed, which is still a surprise, but this is one of the biggest headliners in the world that will play and perform. That headliner will perform with local artists, which will also give local artists exposure.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport


The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: 11 players signed, 11 gone
Orlando Pirates team strolling for a pitch inspection at the Orando Stadium. Image: @orlandopirates/X Betway Premiership top dogs Orlando Pirates have introduced a remarkable 11 new signings under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. The list includes the former Mamelodi Sundowns superstar Sipho Mbule and Polokwane City's winger Oswin Appollis. That's not all. Orlando Pirates have parted ways with the likes of Monnapule Saleng and Mohau Nkota. Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou trains his team at the Rand Stadium before the preseason camp in Marbella, Spain. Image: @orlandopirates/X Also read: Kaizer Chiefs news: Nigerian striker and live match on SABC Tshepho Mashiloane, 23, right back from Baroka FC Lebone Seema, 22, left central defender from TS Galaxy Nkosikhona Ndaba, 22, left-back from Richards Bay Sihle Nduli, 29, central midfielder from Stellenbosch FC Sipho Mbule, 27, central midfielder from Mamelodi Sundowns Masindi Nemtajela, 23, central midfielder from Marumo Gallants Tshepang Moremi, 24, winger from AmaZulu Sinoxolo Kwayiba, 25, attacking midfielder from Chippa United Yanela Mbuthuma, 23, striker from Richards Bay Oswin Appollis, 23, winger from Polokwane City Kamegelo Sebelebele, 22, winger from TS Galaxy. Also read: Kaizer Chiefs waiting to sign 11th striker in five years Paseko Mako,30, left-back Thabiso Monyane, 25, right-back Mohau Nkota, 20, winger Yanga Madiba, 23, left-back Azola Tshobeni, 22, attacking midfielder Moonapule Saleng, 27, winger Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, 31, central midfielder Innocent Maela, 32, left-back Miguel Timm, 33, central midfielder Thuso Moleleki, 25, attacking midfielder Zakhele Lepasa, 28, forward. 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.


The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns make major statement with Berg
Mamelodi Sundowns have secured the services of sporting director Flemming Berg for another two years, ending months of speculation around his future. The Danish administrator, who arrived in 2022, will now continue to play a pivotal role in the club's ambitious growth strategy. Berg's new contract includes one significant change, he has personally removed a controversial clause that previously entitled him to a percentage of transfer fees involving players developed at the club's DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) structures. Why Berg's role remains crucial to Sundowns' vision When Sundowns unveiled Berg as their sporting director in April 2022, they described him as the architect set to elevate the club's footballing standards through his vast European experience. Berg had previously spent seven years as Head of Elite Football Development at the Danish Football Association (DFA), where he pioneered the acclaimed 'Talent ID' programme and implemented a cohesive playing philosophy across all levels. Under his leadership, Danish football embraced a youth-driven approach that delivered spectacular results, including a run to the UEFA Euro semi-finals and a climb in FIFA rankings from 46th to ninth between 2016 and 2021. 'His work was instrumental,' one club source said, 'in shaping not only the technical direction but also the mentality of our football department.' Before his tenure with the DFA, Berg served as an international scout for Chelsea for seven years, adding Premier League pedigree to his impressive CV. One of the more contentious elements of Berg's previous deal was a clause entitling him to around 10% of transfer fees for players developed through the DDC system. However, this clause raised concerns during the potential transfer of promising youngster Kutlwano Letlhaku. To avoid any conflict of interest or legal issues, Berg requested the removal of the clause from his new contract. The club honoured his request, and the clause does not appear in the renewed agreement. Since Berg's arrival, Sundowns have continued their domestic dominance, claiming an eighth consecutive league title. His tenure also aligned with the club's first CAF Champions League final appearance since 2016, under Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso, who took charge midway through the 2024/2025 season. At the FIFA Club World Cup, Masandawana delivered standout performances, further cementing their place among Africa's elite clubs. Berg has overseen strategic signings that have strengthened the squad, including the likes of Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Arthur Sales, and Tashreeq Matthews. His eye for emerging talent has also seen youngsters such as Malibongwe Khoza graduate to the senior team. A testament to Sundowns' deepening talent pool. Why did Mamelodi Sundowns even allow such a clause? 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.