Pyramids will now meet Sundowns in the final.
Pyramids FC twice came back from a goal down to beat Orlando Pirates 3-2 in the second leg of the Caf Champions League semifinal at 30 June Stadium in Cairo to reach the final of the CAF Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Fiston Mayele netted a brace and substitute Ramadan Sobhi scored the other goal for the Egyptian side, while Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota scored the two goals for Pirates. Pyramids won 3-2 on aggregate after the sides drew 0-0 in the first leg in South Africa just less than a week ago.
With Mamelodi Sundowns having already reached the final after beating Al-Ahly through an away goal rule, there was hope that Pirates would join them and make it an all-South African final, but it was not to be.
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Following a fast start to the game, both sides produced shots at goal during the first 10 minutes.
Firstly, it was Mustafa Fathy who rushed his shot inside the box in the second minute and the ball went well over the crossbar. Evidence Makgopa then found himself unmarked inside the Pyramids box in the 10th minute but shot straight at Mohamed EL Shenawy with a left-footed shot.
Pirates draw first blood
Pyramids had more ball possession in the first half, but struggled to make their chances stick. Pirates on the other side looked to use the speed of Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng.
The Buccaneers finally break the deadlock In the 41st minute albeit against the run of play. A free kick by Deon Hotto was partially cleared by Pyramids and the ball landed on Mofokeng’s path and he volleyed it home.
Pirates’ lead, however, was short-lived as Fiston Mayele grabbed the equaliser for the hosts, tapping home the ball from a cross on the left and the teams were locked at 1-1 at the half-time break.
Pyramids looked lively during the opening exchanges of the second-half, but attempts at goals by Mohamed Chibi and Mustafa Fathy were saved by Sipho Chaine.
Pirates were to regain their lead in the 52nd minute through Nkota who beat Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy with a stunning shot from long range.
Mayele the difference for Pyramids
But, as was the case in the first half, Pirates’ lead lasted for only five minutes as Ramadan Sobhi equalised with a header to keep the hosts hopes of reaching the final alive.
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Mayele almost put Pyramids in the lead with a header in the 68th minute, but Evidence Makgopa cleared the ball on the line as the hosts continued to pile the pressure on the visitors.
Mayele was not to be denied the second time in the 84th minute as he pounced on the ball after Chaine had initially made the save to rattle the ball home from close range.
Pirates tried hard to get the equaliser, but Pyramids hung on to their lead to reach the final for the first time in the club’s history.
