The excitement around the upcoming CAF Champions League final has been given a major boost after the Confederation of African Football announced that they will be unveiling a new trophy in Johannesburg next week on Thursday.
New chapter for African football
“This event signifies a new, bold and exciting chapter for African club football. CAF continues to elevate the profile and image of CAF Interclub Competitions,” CAF said in a statement on Friday.
“Thursday’s event builds on the recent partnership renewal between CAF and TotalEnergies, which saw the giant petroleum company extending its partnership with CAF for a further four years.
“Details of the new trophy and its design will be unveiled on the day by CAF and TotalEnergies.”
Champions League two-legged final
Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC will both be itching to get their hands on the new-look trophy when they meet in the Champions League two-legged final.
Sundowns will host the first leg in Tshwane next Saturday. This will be a full house at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium after the club announced that the tickets for the game have been sold out.
The return leg and final decider will be played seven days later in Cairo, Egypt, at the 30 June Stadium.
Masandawana booked their place in the final after overcoming the big Al Ahly test at home and away in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, their opponent, Pyramids, defied the odds stacked against them when they stunned competition favourites Orlando Pirates.
Second time for Sundowns
The Egyptian outfit will be making their first-ever appearance in the Champions League final. And Sundowns will be returning for the second time since 2016, when they won the competition under coach Pitso Mosimane.
Coach Miguel Cardoso and his side will be on a serious mission to end their season on an all-time high. They have already clinched the Betway Premiership with one game to go. And they hope to lift the new Champions League trophy and add a second continental star to their jersey.
