The biggest continental club showpiece looms ever large on the horizon. Two South African sporting giants take on two Egyptian rivals in the Confederation of African (CAF) Champions League semi-finals today.
Saturday | April 19, 2025
It is not often that stakes are elevated this high in club football for both Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and Orlando Pirates FC on the same day in the same prominent continental tournament.
Sundowns are scheduled to play against Al Ahly Sporting Club at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday April 19 at 15h00.
The ultimate winner between the two will face either Pirates or Pyramids FC in the finals scheduled for May 24 and June 1, 2025.
In today’s clash, playing in front of legions of domestic fans augurs well for the Pretorians. Sundowns will draw inspiration from eliminating Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive Tunis 1-0 on aggregate on April 8.
However, reputed with a record 12 CAF Champions League trophies, Al Ahly pose a different challenge to Sundowns altogether. They knocked Al-Hilal SFC of Sudan by an aggregate score of 2-0 and are looking ahead to continue this momentum in Pretoria.
Indeed, Sundowns and Al Ahly will be meeting each other in their first fixture of the double-legged Champions League semi-finals. Al Ahly will host Sundowns on April 25 in their return (second-leg) match at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.
Sundowns were crown CAF Champions League kings in 2016 and are determined to repeat that feat.
Pirates face-off Pyramids
On Saturday evening, April 19, Orlando Pirates welcome Pyramids FC in the first-leg at Orlando Stadium in Soweto at 18h00.
Pirates defeated Algeria’s AM Alger 1-0 in the quarterfinals to reach this stage. Meanwhile Pyramids overcame AS FAR from Morocco 4-3 on aggregate to book their place in the penultimate finals.
For the homeside, this is a giant step towards the African club glory after decades since the last won it in 1995. Pyramids are still hunting for their maiden victory to lift the highly coveted cup.
Today’s tussle will not be the last one between the duo. On April 25, Pirates travel to Egypt for their second-leg with Pyramids at 30 June Stadium in Cairo.