When a club’s season shouts reform: Pyramids FC pushes CAF to rethink Africa’s awards voting

Pyramids FC pushes for a major shift in CAF awards voting

The African Football Confederation CAF is poised to adopt an unprecedented move regarding how the continent's best awards are chosen, following a proposal from Mamdouh Eid, chairman of Pyramids FC, presented to CAF president Patrice Motsepe during the awards ceremony in Rabat.

Eid publicly confronted the CAF leadership and pressed for changes that sparked wide discussion inside CAF corridors, opening a fresh debate about the voting system.

At the ceremony, Eid thanked head coach Krunoslav Jurčić and goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy, noting that their contributions were essential to the team's achievements this season.

His remarks carried a broader message about the perceived under-recognition of clubs in continental awards, especially after Pyramids' stellar domestic and continental campaign following their claimed CAF Champions League title.

Pyramids were crowned Best Club in Africa, while Congolese forward Fiston Mayele took the Africa Player award, according to reports from the ceremony.

Sources within CAF said Motsepe spoke privately with Eid after the ceremony and heard a proposal to revise the voting method to include voices of club presidents and coaches participating in continental competitions.

During the discussion, Motsepe admitted that the current system—largely dependent on votes from national team coaches and captains—could sometimes distort club-level performances.

He indicated that the mechanism would be reviewed and that a new, more balanced formula would be studied, with broader representation from the football ecosystem across the continent.

CAF officials indicated the updated approach could be developed in the coming months and officially adopted before next year's awards, aiming to boost confidence and transparency in the continental process.

Pyramids' remarkable season is presented as part of a broader narrative that has reshaped expectations about Egyptian clubs on the continental stage.

The Egyptian side strengthened its continental profile with a run that included a CAF Champions League triumph over Mamelodi Sundowns and a subsequent African Super Cup victory against Renaissance Berkane in Cairo.

Pyramids also advanced to the semi-finals of the Intercontinental Cup after beating Auckland City 3-0 and then defeating Al-Ahli Saudi FC 3-1 at home, moving them to claim the Three Continents Cup.

They now await the winner of the clash between South American and North American champions on December 13 in Doha, Qatar.

Krunoslav Jurčić was shortlisted for Best Manager and Ahmed El-Shenawy for Best Goalkeeper, though both ultimately did not make the final list.

Historically, Pyramids has emerged as one of Egypt's rising clubs since its transition from El-Ansouty Sport to its current name in 2018, marking a turning point in the club's trajectory.

Since the change, the club has pursued a professional project, invested in infrastructure and international coaching, and rapidly positioned itself as a serious domestic and continental contender.

Over a short period, Pyramids reached the 2020 CAF Confederation Cup final, contended strongly for the league title, and established themselves as one of the most stable and disciplined teams in the region before lifting the continental crown.

Today the club is viewed as a beacon for the future of Egyptian and African football, thanks to a clear project, strategic investments, and an ongoing continental presence.

The club is increasingly seen as a hub for nurturing talent and professionalizing football in Egypt.

Punchline 1: If this reform actually lands, the trophy will be so transparent you’ll need sunglasses to look at it.

Punchline 2: And if they still miss, at least we know one thing for sure—the jokes about ballots will be sharper than the blades on a sniper’s scope.