Kaizer Chiefs Legend Explains Why Sundowns Drew Against Pyramids in CAFCL Final

• Former Kaizer Chiefs star Doctor Khumalo has explained why Mamelodi Sundowns stumbled to a draw against Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final in South Africa
• The Premier Soccer League giants failed to make their home advantage count as a late goal from the Egyptian Premier League side ended the first encounter in a 1-1 draw at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium
• The former South African international was not happy with the result and he believes the Brazilians could have ended the match with a win of Miguel Cardoso had introduced a Bafana Bafana star in the match

Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has reflected on Mamelodi Sundowns' draw against Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The Brazilians took the lead in the game through Lucas Ribeiro Costa in the 54th minute, but a few minutes before the final whistle was blown, the visitors got their equaliser courtesy of Walid El-Karti.

The draw means Sundowns will need to avoid a goalless draw and a defeat when they travel to Egypt for the second leg of the final.

CAFCL final: Khumalo explains why Sundowns drew

In an interview with SABC3, Khumalo pointed out the reason Mamelodi Sundowns stumbled to a draw against the Egyptian side, with a late goal spoiling their day.

The Kaizer Chiefs legend believes Miguel Cardoso's decision not to sub on Themba Zwane when they needed to defend the lead affected them in the match.

“I believe this was the result they aimed for,” he said on SABC3.

“In the final minute, which is always a critical phase, you could see the changes Pyramids made.

“In the first half, they moved quickly forward with two or three players touching the ball, whereas Sundowns typically have six or seven touches.

“In the second half, Pyramids focused on preventing Sundowns from building play from the back as usual, neutralising key players they saw as threats.

“Sundowns needed someone to control the tempo and positional play since they were leading. Maintaining possession and defending carefully was crucial because Pyramids were chasing the game.

“But who do they have in midfield to facilitate this? They needed a player like Themba Zwane to execute that tiki-taka, combination style of play.”

What’s next for Mamelodi Sundowns?

After the second leg of the CAF Champions League final this weekend, Sundowns’ new focus will shift to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup competition, which will be held in the United States of America.

The Brazilians will have a chance to bolster their squad before the CWC kicks off with 10 players facing exit from the club, and winning the CAF Champions League would give them good momentum heading into the competition.

Cardoso calls for calm ahead Pyramids' tie

Briefly News earlier reported that Miguel Cardoso has urged for calm ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns' second leg clash against Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League.

The Portuguese manager is optimistic that his team can get the desired result in Egypt to lift the title for the second time in their history.

Source: Briefly News