{"id":7200,"date":"2025-05-25T08:05:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T06:05:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=7200"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:35:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:35:30","slug":"cafcl-sundowns-suffer-late-setback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/cafcl-sundowns-suffer-late-setback\/","title":{"rendered":"CAF Champions League Final Shock: Mamelodi Sundowns Suffer Late Setback at Loftus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Mamelodi Sundowns were left devastated after conceding with just 36 seconds left on the clock to draw 1-1 with Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld. Despite a dominant display and a composed performance for much of the match, Walid El Karti&#8217;s last-gasp equalizer stole a vital away goal for the Egyptian side. The intense competition of the CAF Champions League showcases the best teams from Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mamelodi-sundowns-in-control-but-let-it-slip\">Mamelodi Sundowns in Control but Let It Slip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a well-balanced display from the Brazilians, who took a deserved lead in the 53rd minute through Lucas Ribeiro. The Brazilian forward showed great awareness and calmness in the box after a blocked shot fell kindly for him. Ribeiro took his time, sized up his target, and slotted past Ahmed Moawad to send Loftus into raptures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, as has happened in previous CAF Champions League campaigns, Sundowns were unable to manage the final moments. A cross from the left found Walid El Karti, who powered home a header in the 93rd minute to silence the home crowd. It was a scene all too familiar for Masandawana fans, reminiscent of past heartbreaks against North African opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u23f9\ufe0f \ud835\udd3d\ud835\udd4c\ud835\udd43\ud835\udd43 \ud835\udd4b\ud835\udd40\ud835\udd44\ud835\udd3c \u23f9\ufe0f<br><br>Mamelodi Sundowns \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 suffer a late blow to see themselves pegged back by Pyramids FC \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddec heading into the second leg in Cairo next Sunday.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSportFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSportFootball<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TotalEnergiesCAFCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#TotalEnergiesCAFCL<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ylcXwFsilL\">pic.twitter.com\/ylcXwFsilL<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport\/status\/1926291959385137532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">May 24, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1578330704\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-loftus-versfeld-turns-silent\">Loftus Versfeld Turns Silent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The sold-out stadium, buzzing with energy throughout the tie, fell into stunned silence after the late goal. Despite the large turnout, the fans struggled to lift the team in the closing stages. The frustration even boiled over when Arthur Sales was booed by some sections of the crowd, who called for his substitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, visibly dejected post-match, reflected on the fine margins that defined the encounter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWe need not to fail on the decisive moments like we did today,\u201d Cardoso said, his voice hoarse with emotion.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cardoso-not-all-is-lost\">Cardoso: \u201cNot All is Lost\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Portuguese tactician acknowledged the costly mistake that led to the equalizer: \u201cThese games are decided on small details. That goal came from a moment when Thapelo [Morena] lost the ball going forward. It&#8217;s in those little moments that we must stay composed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the setback, Cardoso remained defiant about his team&#8217;s chances heading into the second leg in Cairo, a pivotal moment in their CAF Champions League journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not the time to give up. It\u2019s time to give the right energy in order to do well. If this was a one-off final and it ended 1-1, we\u2019d still need to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>He added: \u201cLet\u2019s move forward and pick up the energy. Are we happy? No. But the biggest mistake would be to think we\u2019re dead. Let\u2019s move forward and go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f &quot;\ud835\ude78\ud835\ude9d&#39;\ud835\ude9c \ud835\ude97\ud835\ude98\ud835\ude9d \ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude97 \ud835\ude8e\ud835\udea1\ud835\ude8c\ud835\ude9e\ud835\ude9c\ud835\ude8e \ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude9d \ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude95\ud835\ude95&quot;<br><br>Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has partially blamed the condition of the pitch following a 1\u20e3\u27961\u20e3 draw against Pyramids in the 1st leg of the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TotalEnergiesCAFCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#TotalEnergiesCAFCL<\/a> final.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSportFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSportFootball<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/M9XxWMdjga\">pic.twitter.com\/M9XxWMdjga<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport\/status\/1926509564133835188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">May 25, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3250638702\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-jurcic-this-is-the-character-of-our-team\">Jur\u010di\u0107: \u201cThis Is the Character of Our Team\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On the opposite end, Pyramids FC head coach Krunoslav Jur\u010di\u0107 beamed with pride following his team&#8217;s late heroics. The Croatian coach praised his squad&#8217;s never-say-die attitude, which has seen them net several late goals during the campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWe showed many times this season we have excellent character to come back. Congratulations to my players,\u201d said Jur\u010di\u0107. \u201cWe\u2019ve scored in the last five minutes many times \u2013 15 or 20 this season \u2013 so this is our identity. I try to transmit my energy to the players and they respond.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jur\u010di\u0107 acknowledged Sundowns\u2019 quality but insisted his side had opportunities to win: \u201cMaybe we needed to score one or two more. But overall, I\u2019m satisfied. This is only the first half.\u201d Competing in the CAF Champions League tests every team&#8217;s resilience and determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;\ud835\ude86\ud835\ude8e \ud835\ude9c\ud835\ude91\ud835\ude98\ud835\udea0\ud835\ude8e\ud835\ude8d \ud835\ude9d\ud835\ude91\ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude9d \ud835\udea0\ud835\ude8e \ud835\ude8c\ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude97 \ud835\ude99\ud835\ude95\ud835\ude8a\ud835\udea2 \ud835\ude97\ud835\ude92\ud835\ude8c\ud835\ude8e \ud835\ude8f\ud835\ude98\ud835\ude98\ud835\ude9d\ud835\ude8b\ud835\ude8a\ud835\ude95\ud835\ude95&quot;<br><br>Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jur\u010di\u0107&#39;s reaction after a 1\u20e3\u27961\u20e3 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the 1st leg of the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TotalEnergiesCAFCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#TotalEnergiesCAFCL<\/a> final.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SABCSportFootball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#SABCSportFootball<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aSkgUPDpBJ\">pic.twitter.com\/aSkgUPDpBJ<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport\/status\/1926514927654543392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">May 25, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-all-to-play-for-in-cairo\">All to Play for in Cairo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news24.com\/sport\/soccer\/psl\/live-champions-league-final-first-leg-sundowns-v-pyramids-20250524-0403\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">return leg <\/a>will take place at the 1 June Stadium in Egypt on Sunday evening, with kick-off set for 19:00. Mamelodi Sundowns, who will travel on Tuesday, will benefit from a free week of preparation, while Pyramids FC still have a league fixture before the decisive showdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Sundowns, the mission is simple yet daunting: overcome a tough Pyramids side in their own backyard and avoid repeating past CAF Champions League disappointments. With a place in history on the line, the Brazilians will need every ounce of resilience, focus, and quality to bring the trophy back home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/how-sundonws-can-tame-pyramids\/\">Mamelodi Sundowns Eye Continental Glory: How They Can Tame Pyramids FC at Loftus<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mamelodi Sundowns were left devastated after conceding with just 36 seconds left on the clock to draw 1-1 with Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld. Despite a dominant display and a composed performance for much of the match, Walid El Karti&#8217;s last-gasp equalizer stole a vital<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":7201,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Mamelodi Sundowns were left devastated after conceding with just 36 seconds left on the clock to draw 1-1 with Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF...","footnotes":""},"categories":[59,56,64],"tags":[289,633,360,288],"class_list":{"0":"post-7200","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-soccer","8":"category-sports","9":"category-sports-news","10":"tag-african-football","11":"tag-caf-champions-league","12":"tag-mamelodi-sundowns","13":"tag-soccer"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7200"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7204,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7200\/revisions\/7204"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}