Mamelodi Sundowns were left frustrated after letting the win slip away in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024/25 final. A stoppage-time header from Walid El Karti earned Pyramids FC a crucial 1–1 draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria this Saturday.

The first half was pretty even, with both sides sizing each other up and not many clear chances. Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales came close for Sundowns, while Fiston Mayele and Ibrahim Adel tested Ronwen Williams from distance.

Stunners and costly misses

Things picked up after the break. In the 54th minute, Lucas Ribeiro Costa pounced on a loose ball in the box and smashed it in with his left foot, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The South Africans had chances to double the lead, but Peter Shalulile and Neo Maema couldn’t finish them off.

Just when it looked like the win was in the bag, Pyramids FC kept pushing. Deep into stoppage time, Mohanad Lasheen whipped in a perfect cross that found El Karti unmarked, and he nodded it home to stun the stadium and keep the Egyptian side’s hopes alive.

All to play for in Cairo

The draw leaves everything up in the air ahead of the return leg on June 1 in Cairo, where the new CAF Champions League trophy will be awarded for the first time. The result also keeps Pyramids FC’s unbeaten run in the knockout rounds intact, marking a historic moment in their first-ever continental final.

Even though that late equalizer was a tough blow for Sundowns, the South African side still looked strong and will feel they’ve got a real shot at lifting the trophy in Egypt. The match was broadcast in over 28 countries, including major markets in Europe and Africa, showing the world just how high the level is in African club football.