In a surprising turn of events during the quarter-finals of the African Champions League, both defending champions Pyramids and record title-holders Al Ahly faced unexpected eliminations on Saturday night, marking a disheartening chapter for Egyptian football. Pyramids, who had secured their first continental title just last June, succumbed to a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Morocco's Royal Armed Forces, despite managing a 1-1 draw in the first leg held in Rabat.
The match at Cairo's 30 June Stadium saw the visitors striking first, with Rida Slim netting a goal in the ninth minute, setting a daunting tone for the Egyptians. The situation worsened for Pyramids when Mohamed Rabie Hrimat added a second goal with a powerful header in the 54th minute. Although Fiston Mayele managed to reduce the deficit with a goal in the 62nd minute, Pyramids ultimately fell short of finding the equalizer, which would have pushed the match into a penalty shootout.
Youssef El Fahli, a forward for the Royal Armed Forces, expressed his elation after the match, stating, "This is a historic win and a historic qualification for the club. We have the determination to fight for the title this season and, God willing, we'll bring home the club's second continental crown." With this victory, the Royal Armed Forces are set to compete against either fellow Moroccan side Renaissance Berkane or Sudan's Al-Hilal in the semi-finals, seeking their second continental triumph since winning the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1985.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly, the most decorated team in the tournament's history with 12 titles, initially gained an advantage with a goal from Mahmoud Trezeguet in the 10th minute. However, the Tunisian side Esperance equalized the match in the 68th minute through Florian Danho, who struck a remarkable shot from outside the box. The match took a turn when Mohamed Amine Tougai converted a penalty in the 78th minute, putting Esperance ahead. Although Al Ahly managed to level the score at 2-2 with an own goal from Hamza Jelassi in the 84th minute, Jelassi redeemed himself moments later by scoring the decisive goal in the 94th minute, resulting in a thrilling 3-2 second-leg victory and a 4-2 aggregate win for Esperance.
Esperance will now advance to face Mamelodi Sundowns or Mali's Stade Malien in the semi-finals, continuing the quest for their place in the continental spotlight. The outcomes of these matches serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, where even the most esteemed teams can face sudden exits from prestigious tournaments.
As reported by thestar.com.my.
