From Zamalek to Pyramids: El-Shenawy’s unfinished business with Sundowns

Pyramids FC goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy says he is motivated by past disappointment and driven by the chance to rewrite history in Sunday’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final second leg against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The former Zamalek shot-stopper is no stranger to this stage, having suffered heartbreak at the hands of Sundowns in the 2016 final.

This time, he is determined to be on the winning side.

“Back then, with Zamalek, we had huge support from the fans,” El-Shenawy said.

“Now, with Pyramids, it’s different. We’re still a new team without the same level of backing. But reaching this final shows how far we’ve come.”

El-Shenawy was a key figure in the first leg in Pretoria, helping his side weather Sundowns’ attacks before Walid El Karti's late header secured a valuable away draw.

The veteran keeper believes the lack of public and media support for Pyramids FC has added fuel to the squad’s fire.

“We need more support — from the media, from the public. What this club has done in just a few years is remarkable,” he said.

“We’ve made history just by being here. Now we want to go one step further and win it.”

Pyramids FC will also face Zamalek in the Egypt Cup final next week.

El-Shenawy says lifting both trophies would be the perfect end to a gruelling but rewarding campaign.

“It’s a special week for us. If we can win both titles, it will be a statement — not just for us, but for Egyptian football,” he concluded.

Victory on Sunday would make Pyramids only the fourth Egyptian team to win the CAF Champions League and would mark El-Shenawy’s crowning moment in African football.