CAF Champions League: Al Ahly face Sundowns, Pyramids take on Orlando Pirates
Two South African clubs against two Egyptian clubs. The CAF Champions League semi-finals have a special flavour this season.
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Two South African clubs against two Egyptian clubs. The CAF Champions League semi-finals have a special flavour this season, with two of the continent's strongest leagues dominating, represented by Al Ahly, Pyramids (Egypt), Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates (South Africa).
Mamelodi Sundowns - Al Ahly
This tie is a clash of consistency and top-level performance in African football. For the third season running, Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns have reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals. The "Brazilians" have been knocked out at this stage twice, while the "Red Devils" have lifted their 11th and 12th titles over the last two seasons.
This year, Mamelodi Sundowns want to break their hoodoo and win a second title in the competition after 2016. But despite the youth of their current squad, Al Ahly remain formidable opponents. Marcel Koller's men knocked out Al-Hilal, serious title contenders, in the quarter-finals, while Miguel Cardoso's side eliminated Espérance Tunis.
Orlando Pirates - Pyramids
Pyramids, who lead the league in Egypt, continue their rise on the continental stage. After losing the 2020 Confederation Cup final to RS Berkane (0-1), the small Alexandria club are playing a CAF Champions League semi-final for the first time in their history. And Fiston Mayele and his team-mates have no intention of stopping now, after an impressive run so far.
Read also: CAF Champions League: Al Ahly, Pyramids and Sundowns in the last four
On the other side, Orlando Pirates are also enjoying one of the best seasons in their recent history. Second in the Premier Soccer League, 12 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns but with 3 games in hand, José Riveiro's Bucs are setting themselves no limits this season and want to go all the way. The last time Orlando Pirates reached the semi-finals of the competition, the South African club went on to the final before losing to Al Ahly in 2013.
The schedule (times GMT)
13:00: Mamelodi Sundowns - Al Ahly
16:00: Orlando Pirates - Pyramids