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Sthembiso Nkabinde

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns flop! The dream all-South African Caf Champions League final in doubt

Both Bucs and Downs were held to draws at home, results that did their hopes of progression to the next round little favours.

Both Bucs and Downs were held to draws at home, results that did their hopes of progression to the next round little favours.

Orlando Pirates, who are having a season to remember so far, reached the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League undefeated.

However, they came unstuck at home to Egyptian cash-rich side Pyramids as they barely hung on to a goalless draw at the iconic FNB.

Although little damage was done, Bucs dismally failed to make the most of their home advantage as they were forced to hang on for dear life in Soweto by the Egyptians.

In Tshwane, the reigning Premier Soccer League champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, did not fare much better as they too were held to a scoreless draw on their own turf.

This, although not entirely detrimental, meant that the two South African sides are at risk of missing out on putting together an all-Mzansi Champions League final.

This as the two Egyptian giants managed to come out unscathed from Mzansi, and are likely to create a crazy atmosphere at home that could be the difference between a win and a loss.

Here, GOAL details how the two South African sides missed the trick at home and why they now need to play out of their skin in the Lion’s den.

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  • Lucas Ribeiro, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    No home advantage 

    The two Mzansi sides - Pirates and Downs - were unable to make the most of home advantage in the first-leg matches for their respective Champions League semifinals on Saturday.

    Sundowns were held to a cagey 0-0 draw by Al Ahly while the Buccaneers also played out a scoreless draw with Pyramids, both at home.

    The two Egyptian visitors will feel more satisfied with the result, having ensured that the tie is all square heading back to their home country for the decisive leg next weekend.

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  • Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    Not all is lost, though 

    Sundowns and Pirates, though, can take comfort from the thought that only they can now benefit from the away goals rule, as they both shut out their visitors last weekend.

    This means that if either of the two SA sides are able to score and hold their opponents to a draw, that would be enough to see them progress to the final.

    Burn Ahly and Pyramids must ensure that they win to seal passage to the prestigious final, while the two SA sides only need a score draw.

    Pirates can take solace from the fact that their defence managed to hold firm despite and thwart the Egyptians’ persistent attacks will and will now hope to cause a huge upset.

    Downs, on the other hand, can also be encouraged by their defensive showing, while hoping to improve on their attacking output.

  • Mohamed Chibi & Jose Riveiro, Orlando Pirates vs Pyramids FC, April 2025Backpagepix

    VAR to the rescue 

    Buccaneers were lucky not to suffer a home defeat, as the Egyptian visitors twice hit the back of the net but had the goals scratched off after VAR reviews.

    There’s no doubt, the Soweto giants will need to make significant improvements if they are to find a way into the final, especially playing the second leg away from home in front of a hostile crowd.

    Pirates struggled to create too many goal-scoring chances against the Egyptians as they came under attack for the major part of the game.

    Jose Riveiro will have little choice but to instruct his team to go for broke against Pyramids in the second leg in front of a crowd that will be against them from the first whistle.

  • Aubrey Modiba and Marwan Attia, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al AhlyBackpage

    Downs in need of perfection 

    Sundowns, like Pirates, are still very much alive in their tie against record Champions League winners Al Ahly, but will need a strong performance to make the final.

    The Egyptians will have the backing of their vociferous crowd, making Sundowns’ mission an extremely tough one in Cairo.

    Cardoso’s men will likely need to produce their best performance of the season if they are to make the final of the continent’s premier competition

  • Lucas Ribeiro and Relebohile Mofokeng, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando PiratesBackpage

    An all SA final?

    Mzansi football is on the brink of continental history as Sundowns and Pirates navigate separate paths in the Champions League semi-final round in an attempt to produce the first all-SA final in the prestigious competition.

    The prospect of the two local giants meeting in the Champions League final has sparked widespread excitement amongst local football fans. 

    However, the dream Champions League final every SA fan is hoping for is currently hanging by a thread as the two sides were unable to make home advantage count.

    Nevertheless, the fact that they did not lose their respective matches means that they are still very much alive and have a good chance of making the dream final a reality.

  • Miguel Cardoso of Mamelodi Sundowns, Jose Riveiro of Orlando Pirates, Marcel Koller of Al Ahly & Krunoslav Jurčić of Pyramids 16-9GOAL GFX

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