Mamelodi Sundowns’ pursuit of a second CAF Champions League title concluded this past weekend with their defeat to Egyptian side Pyramids FC. Here is a look at how much they pocketed as runners-up.
Masandawana’s Champions League campaign concluded with a 3-2 aggregate loss, after they were defeated 2-1 in the crucial second leg, played away at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
In the decisive return tie, Fiston Mayele opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, capitalising on a defensive error from Grant Kekana. The defender had failed to clear a cross and gifted Mayele the ball in the box.
Pyramids extended their lead early in the second-half, with Ahmed Samy heading home from Mohamed Chibi’s free-kick.
The first-leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium had ended in a 1-1 stalemate with Walid El Karti cancelling Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s opener.
This was the first Champions League triumph for Pyramids, who are only 17 years old, having been formed in 2008.
HOW MUCH SUNDOWNS COULD HAVE CLAIMED IF THEY WON CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TITLE
Sundowns, as runners-up, took home R35,8 million [$2 million]. Had they won the competition, Masandawana could have claimed R71.6 million [$4 million], which was secured by Pyramids.
In 2016, when they won their first Champions League, defeating Zamalek in the final under the guidance of Pitso Mosimane, the Tshwane giants were awarded R21 million [$1,5 million].
Their earnings this season are almost double the amount they were awarded when they won the competition back in 2016.
Meanwhile, Bafana Ba Style recently claimed R20 million prize money after winning the Betway Premiership. The league title was their eighth in a row as they contiued to domiante SA football.
The Brazilians will be turning their focus on the FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held in the USA. Their group stage run will begin with Ulsan on 18 June. They face off against Borussia Dortmund on 21 June before they take on Fluminense on 25 June.
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