Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has shared his thoughts following Mamelodi Sundowns’ painful CAF Champions League final defeat to Egypt’s Pyramids FC in Cairo on Sunday. The South African champions suffered a 2-1 loss in the second leg at the 30 June Stadium, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate defeat – a devastating blow in what was their first appearance in the final since their historic 2016 triumph.
Broos, who notably excluded all Sundowns players from his latest Bafana squad due to their involvement in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, acknowledged that the Tshwane giants had promising opportunities to clinch the title but ultimately fell short against a formidable Pyramids side.
Speaking to iDiski Times, Broos remarked, “I really believed Sundowns had a strong chance to win it. But Pyramids FC is a tough opponent. In fact, from what I’ve seen, they’re even stronger than Al Ahly. They play aggressive, quality football and have excellent players. It wasn’t going to be easy.”
He noted that Sundowns dominated parts of the second half and created clear-cut chances, but were denied by the Pyramids goalkeeper on several occasions. “They were confident, and confidence is good. But when you lose after being confident, it hits hard. Sundowns must now look in the mirror,” he added.
Broos emphasized the need for the club to critically assess why they consistently fall at the final hurdles despite having the squad and resources to win. “They’ve reached quarterfinals, semifinals, and now the final – but haven’t sealed the deal. Maybe it’s time for introspection, maybe a change in strategy or mentality.”
Despite the disappointment, Broos praised the club’s overall performance throughout the tournament. “It’s a pity they lost, but we must still be proud. They flew the South African flag high and did a lot for our football. Congratulations to them and coach Miguel Cardoso for a memorable campaign.”
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