Pyramids netted a stoppage-time equaliser to spoil the occasion for Mamelodi Sundowns and depart the African Champions League ultimate finely poised at 1-1 after the primary leg in Pretoria.
The hosts took the lead at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld eight minutes after half-time when ahead Lucas Ribeiro adopted up a shot and tucked the ball into the online from simply outdoors the six yard field.
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After dominating the second interval, followers of the South African membership had been starting to rejoice what they thought could be an essential victory till Walid El Karti linked with Mohanad Lasheen’s cross and despatched his header previous Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams within the 94th minute.
In a event the place the away targets rule continues to be in impact, the late leveller may show sufficient for first-time finalists Pyramids to raise the new-look Champions League trophy and decide up $4m in prize cash.
Solely fashioned in 2008, the membership has been reworked into one in every of Egypt’s prime sides since being taken over by Saudi Arabian traders in 2018.
Sundowns, who will play in Fifa’s expanded Membership World Cup subsequent month, are chasing their second continental title and are again within the ultimate for the primary time
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The 2 sides will meet once more on the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday, 1 June (17:00 GMT).
Guests present late drama
Sundowns had eradicated report 12-time champions Al Ahly on the semi-final stage on away targets whereas Pyramids noticed off Sundowns’ provincial rivals Orlando Pirates 3-2 on combination.
In an entertaining opening 45 minutes performed out in stunning climate, Sundowns had extra possession but it surely was the guests who carved out three clear-cut possibilities.
Nonetheless, Fiston Mayele, the competitors’s joint-top scorer this season, despatched the primary two off course and was flagged offside for the third as he once more failed to check Williams.
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The composure of Pyramids finally started to wane within the second half as they may very well be seen retreating, struggling to take care of sustained possession and barely inflicting points for Sundowns.
Ahmed Atef was awarded a yellow card for time-wasting as early because the forty eighth minute as Krunoslav Jurcic’s aspect regarded content material to attempt to play for a draw.
Ribeiro finally broke the impasse however Sundowns couldn’t add to their lead and, regardless of taking part in in a sea of yellow with just about none of their very own followers in attendance, Pyramids entrance man El Karti supplied a late twist.
Sundowns are the dominant pressure in South African soccer, just lately wrapping up a record-extending eighth consecutive home title, and must negotiate a probably tough second leg.
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Though Pyramids don’t boast the extent of assist loved by Cairo rivals Al Ahly and Zamalek, Juric’s males will hope to capitalise upon scorching night situations in North Africa and take a step in direction of establishing themselves as a large of the continental recreation.
Over 50,000 Mamelodi Sundowns followers packed out Loftus Versfeld and supplied a sea of yellow within the stands [Reuters]
Brazilian ahead Ribeiro (proper) fired Sundowns in entrance early within the second half [Getty Images]
However Krunoslav Jurcic’s males silenced the house crowd late on [Reuters]