Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League heartbreak has come with a double blow after their 3-2 aggregate defeat to Pyramids FC ruled them out of contention for two major global competitions.
Read: Time To Move On? Four Chiefs Stars Who May Need A Fresh Start
The Brazilians went into Sunday night’s final second leg in Cairo with the score delicately poised at 1-1 following the draw in Pretoria. But a 2-1 loss on the night handed Pyramids their first-ever continental title and crushed Sundowns’ hopes of adding a second star to their crest after their historic 2016 triumph.
More than just continental glory was on the line.
Victory in the CAF Champions League final also guaranteed qualification for two upcoming global showpieces: the six-team FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 and the second edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, set for 2029.
Instead, it will be the Egyptian outfit who represent Africa in both competitions, joining an elite list of global champions for a rare opportunity to showcase themselves on the world stage.
Sundowns had already secured qualification for the first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, set to take place in the United States this month, alongside Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca and Esperance. However, the final against Pyramids was their chance to double down on global participation and confirm their place at the Intercontinental Cup next year and the 2029 Club World Cup.
The Pretoria giants, who were appearing in their third Champions League final, were favourites to bring the trophy back to South Africa for the first time in nine years. However, key moments, including a last-minute concession in the first leg and a failure to match Pyramids’ intensity in Cairo, proved costly.
Read: The 10 Chiefs Stars Who Carried Nabi’s Season
Sundowns will now turn their attention to this month’s FIFA Club World Cup, where they will be one of four African representatives in the new 32-team format.
