North Africa’s dominance in CAF club competitions has been unsettling for those down south and indeed other regions.

The big question is: can Mamelodi Sundowns put a stop to it in the CAF Champions League?

Sundowns will be home to Egyptian side Pyramids at the Loftus Stadium on Saturday, 24 May. This is the first leg of the final, and after the clash in Pretoria, Pyramids will host the second leg in Cairo on Sunday, 1 June.

North Africa’s stranglehold on CAF club competitions is well-documented.

Sundowns are into their third Champions League final, and all have come against Egyptian teams. The Brazilians lost 4-1 on aggregate to Al Ahly in 2001, before winning the tournament by beating Zamalek 3-1 a decade ago and now the opposition is Pyramids, who are in their first-ever final.

To put it into context, Egyptian clubs have the highest number of Champions League winners with 18 titles, followed by Morocco with seven (7). Al Ahly holds the record with 12.

On their way to the final, Sundowns beat Tunisian side Espérance in the quarter-finals and Al Ahly in the semi-finals.

The Tshwane side skipper, Themba Zwane, is in a confident mood that Sundowns can clear the last hurdle against Pyramids.

“I think this time is an opportunity to get the second star, and I think we have a team that is capable of doing it,” said Zwane ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Meanwhile, Pyramids FC striker Dodo Elgabas said it’s anybody’s game.

“We know we are playing against a big opponent. Sundowns are a very good team, but we have experience in a competition like this. We played them last year, so I think the book is open between us,” Elgabas added.