Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC Win Openers in CAF Champions League Group A

Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC Win Openers in CAF Champions League Group A

Jarryd Westerdale
updated at November 26, 2023 at 3:25 PM
In this article:
CAF Champions League logo
CAF Champions League
Africa
  • Mamelodi Sundowns began their CAF Champions League with an easy win
  • Fagrie Lakay scored for Pyramids FC as they defeated Congolese giants
  • December will define the group with four games before the end of the year

Mamelodi Sundowns continued as they will wish to finish their CAF Champions League journey.

They sit above Pyramids FC on goal difference after the Egyptians registered a win at home against three-time champions, TP Mazembe.

The Group A leaders will face each other back to back in mid-December before closing out the calendar year.

Pyramids FC, Sundowns, CAF Champions League
Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC opened their CAF Champions League campaign with wins at home. Photos; @CAFCLCC and @_IamHarold.
Source: Twitter

Playing the first CAF Champions League match in their history, Pyramids were dominant against their African Football League participants.

Just over 60% possession and 30% more passes than their opponents with an 80% pass accuracy, painted the picture of the contest.

The hosts carved out 14 shots on target but were wasteful in only getting three of those on target. The one that counted fell to South Africa Fagrie Lackay who smashed home from the edge of the area.

The other Group A fixture was as close to a formality as could be at Loftus Stadium.

FC Nouadhibou from Mauritania began with plenty fight, getting into the faces of Masandawana. Lucas Ribeiro damped the fire in the 22nd minute and Peter Shalulie extinguished it six minutes later.

Ronwen Williams had next to nothing to do, as the visitors registered zero chances on target. His opposite number, Babacar Diop, was sent off with 20 minutes to go and Gaston Sirino added the cherry with a well-taken free-kick.

Pyramids travel to Mauritania next week while Sundowns venture to the Congo.

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Rulani Mokwena to step out of Pitso Mosimane's shadow

Sports Brief recently reported on Rulani Mokwena needing to win the CAF Champions League to silence the doubters.

Winning the African Football League is a monumental achievement but the CAF Champions League is more prestigious.

Mamelodi Sundowns have not won the competition since 2016 and have only made the semi-finals twice in those six seasons since.

Authors
Jarryd Westerdale photo
Jarryd Westerdale
Jarryd Westerdale (based in Johannesburg) joined Sports Brief after four years in the community journalism sphere. He is a two-time Alet Roux Award winner and was a finalist in multiple categories at the Forum of Community Journalism Excellence Awards.
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