Somebody must step up at this stage to decide his team’s success whenever the need arises. Congolese striker Fiston Mayele was nearly pushed out of Pyramids last season after the team’s disastrous maiden campaign in the Money Zone of the CAF Champions League.
In Cairo, after Mamelodi Sundowns broke Al Ahly’s heart earlier, it was up to Pyramids to ensure that South African affairs would not dominate the finals of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League.
Orlando Pirates were slightly on top in the first half and took advantage and scoring the opener in the 41st minute through Mafokeng Relebohile. The goal brought to mind the success the club has enjoyed in North Africa in the current campaign. It did not take long before the man of the moment, Fiston Mayele, struck on the stroke of half-time to level the score. The game ended 1-1 in the first half, with the Bucs the much happier of the two sides.
The second half got off to a great start for the home team as they suffocated the visitors by piling much pressure on them. They started opening up the South African, causing fear among them.
However, Nohau Nkota scored in the 52nd minute to shock the home team. With a 2-1 lead, things were looking great for Jose Riveiro’s side as they needed to not concede two goals. Sobhi Ramadan in the 57th minute scored to make it 2-2. The game was so entertaining that both teams at this moment forgot how to defend.
Pyramids kept on pushing and pushing and pushing, looking for the all-important goal. Orlando Pirates’ three center backs pairing of Sibisi, Xoki and Mbokazi lost their composure, helping Pyramids to expose Sipho Chaine.
The good moment for the home side arrived with star man Fiston Mayele putting Pyramids ahead in the 84th minute. It was a disastrous moment for Orlando Pirates to be behind for the first time in the tie.
The 3-2 victory has sent Pyramids to the finals of the CAF Champions League for the first time after the huge investment made by the club over the years.
Pyramids will face another South African side , Mamelodi Sundowns, who earlier on the day drew 1-1 against Al Ahly to progress on away goal rule to the finals. The South Africans will play the first leg in Pretoria, with the second leg scheduled to be played in Cairo.
