According to Egyptian publication, Ahram, Pyramids FC’s Nigerian winger Sodiq Awujoola has been excluded from the squad that will travel to South Africa ahead of the anticipated game against Mamelodi Sundowns due to injury.

The Egyptian club will be hosted by their South African counterparts in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final on Saturday.

The return match will be played in Cairo on 1 June.

Pyramids’ Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic chose a 25-man squad for the trip to South African; excluding Awujoola due to a knee injury.

“Awujoola underwent a scan after feeling some pains in his knee during Tuesday’s training session. He will remain in Cairo to undergo a rehabilitation program to be ready for the return match,” Pyramids FC doctor was quoted as saying by the Club’s official website.

The rising Egyptian powerhouse, Pyramids FC, reached the final for the first time in their history after a 3-2 on aggregate victory over South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in the semi-final.

Pyramids FC’s travelling squad:

Goalkeeper: Ahmed El Shenawy, Sherif Ekramy, Youssef Nader, Ahmed Mayhoub

Defenders: Ali Gabr, Ahmed Samy, Mohamed Hamdi, Osama Galal, Mohamed Chibi, Tarek Alaa, Mohamed Hamdy, Karim Hafez, Ahmed Tawfik

Midfielders: Mahmoud Dunga, Mohanad Lasheen, Blati Touré, Walid El Karti, Ahmed Atef, Ramadan Sobhi, Mostafa Fathi, Abdelrahman Magdi, Youssef Obama

Forwards: Fiston Mayele, Marwan Hamdi, Dodo Elgabas

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Mamelodi Sundowns clinched a dramatic spot in the final of the CAF Champions League after holding Al Ahly to a 1-1 draw in Cairo on Friday night, progressing on the away goals rule.

After a tense 0-0 stalemate in the first leg in Pretoria, it was Al Ahly who drew first blood in the return leg at the Cairo International Stadium.

Taher Mohamed fired the hosts into the lead midway through the first half, smashing home from outside the box after being teed up by the lively Emam Ashour.

Backed by a passionate home crowd, Al Ahly dominated much of the first period and looked on course to finally break their winless streak against the South Africans.

But Mamelodi Sundowns showed their resilience and turned the tie on its head in the closing stages.

With ten minutes remaining, a low cross caused panic in the Ahly defence, resulting in Yasser Ibrahim inadvertently turning the ball into his own net under pressure from Peter Shalulile.

It was a heartbreaking moment for the Egyptian giants and a lifeline for Sundowns, who knew a 1-1 draw would be enough to see them through.

Al Ahly threw everything forward in search of a late winner, with substitutes Achraf Bencharki and Wessam Abou Ali both going close in a frantic finale.

But Sundowns, marshalled superbly by their backline and aided by a bit of fortune, held firm to seal a famous qualification.

It marks a significant milestone for Pretoria-based side, who have now gone nine consecutive matches unbeaten against the record African champions.

Sundowns’ reward is a place in the final, where they will face either Pyramids FC or Orlando Pirates — with the second semi-final set to be decided later.

For Al Ahly, it was a night of bitter disappointment despite their brave efforts, as their dream of a record-extending CAF Champions League title came to a crashing halt at home.

-CAF

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The Egyptian side Pyramids sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Orlando Pirates in Cairo on Friday night to book their place in the final of the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history.

After a goalless first leg in Johannesburg, both sides came out determined at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium, and it was Pirates who struck first when Relebohile Mofokeng slotted home from close range midway through the first half.

The lead, however, was short-lived. Pyramids levelled just before half-time, with Fiston Mayele pouncing on a cross from Mostafa Fathi to restore parity.

The end-to-end nature of the contest continued after the break, and Pirates regained the advantage when Mohau Nkota fired in a superb low drive on 52 minutes.

Yet the Egyptian side showed their resolve in front of their home fans. Ramadan Sobhi rose highest to meet a Mohamed Chibi cross, heading past Sipho Chaine to make it 2-2 just moments later.

The decisive moment came with just six minutes remaining.

After a goalmouth scramble from a corner, Mayele reacted quickest, hammering the ball into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations among the home faithful.

Despite late pressure from the South African visitors, including efforts from Tshegofatso Mabasa and Relebohile Mofokeng, Pyramids held on to secure a famous win and extend their remarkable unbeaten home record to 23 matches.

The result means Pyramids will face Mamelodi Sundowns, who earlier eliminated Al Ahly on away goals, in what promises to be a mouth-watering final.

For Orlando Pirates, it was a brave effort but one that ultimately fell short, ending their hopes of a second CAF Champions League title.

-CAF

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