Friday April 25, 2025
- Al Ahly vs Sundowns – Cairo International stadium 7pm (EAT)
- Pyramids vs Pirates – June 30th stadium 9pm (EAT)
The Caf Champions League final two spots are at stake as the battle between South Africa and Egyptian clubs in the semis now move to Cairo on Friday.
In the first legs played last week, both matches [Sundowns vs Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates vs Pyramids] ended in goalless stalemates which literally gives advantage to the Egyptians who play the final leg in front of their own fans.
Al Ahly vs Sundowns showdown
The hosts have dominated continental football with four titles in the past five seasons but their head-to-head stats against Mamelodi Sundowns in recent years gives Denis Onyango and company hope.
The Brazilians are undefeated against the Red Devils in the most recent eight meetings in which they have scored 11 goals and conceded just five in that run.
However, they haven’t tasted Caf Champions league triumph since 2016 when they won their only title in history.
“We know we can score there (Cairo) and we have won there before,” said Denis Onyango, a stalwart in the Sundowns team of 2016 that beat Al Ahly to the title in Cairo.
Meanwhile, Marcel Koller’s side will have full backing of the capacity crowd that has been allowed to watch the game contrary to the previous matches since the Arab spring with over 75,000 fans expected at the Cairo International stadium.
Pyramids vs Orlando Pirates preview
Pyramids were the better team in the first leg and twice denied from taking the lead by VAR.
This points to a tough game for the 1995 African champions as they must score to avoid elimination although their continental pedigree gives them hope.
Already this season, they have left Egypt unscathed in the group stages and will hope more of the same.
Head-to-head stats – Egypt vs South African clubs
There have been 62 meetings between Egyptian and South African clubs in all competitions with the Mzansi edging the contest with 21 victories [L20, D21]
Forty-one of those meetings have come in the Champions League with equal stats as each have won 14 [D13]
10 different clubs from South Africa have faced 9 different clubs from Egypt but only three in the CAF Champions League namely; Al Ahly, Zamalek or Pyramids.
The first ever meeting between Egyptian and South African opposition came in 1993, the first year that South African clubs were allowed to participate after winning back their membership of the Confederation of African Football.
Zamalek eliminated Chiefs on the away goals rule in the third round of the old-style Champions Cup after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
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