Pyramids FC left it late but earned a valuable 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.
Lucas Ribeiro gave the hosts the lead in the 54th minute, pouncing inside the box to slot home with his left foot after sustained pressure. The goal gave Sundowns a deserved edge, with the South African champions controlling most of the play.
Sundowns enjoyed 60% possession and looked on course for a vital home win until deep into stoppage time, when Walid El Karti rose to head in Mohanad Lasheen’s pinpoint cross.
The late equaliser silenced the home crowd and shifted the momentum heading into the second leg in Cairo on June 1.
The tie remains finely poised as both teams now prepare for the decisive return leg.
Pyramids will now turn its attention to their league game against Ceramica Cleopatra on May 28th.
