Pyramids FC from Egypt showcased their resilience in the CAF Champions League as they managed to secure a 1-1 draw against FAR Rabat of Morocco in the first leg of the quarter-finals, held late on Friday in Johannesburg. The match began on a dramatic note when the home team took an early lead just eight minutes into the game, with Ahmed Hammoudan netting his first goal of the tournament. However, Pyramids responded effectively, leveling the score in the seventh minute of the second half through Mahmoud Zalaka, who continued to demonstrate his prowess on the continental stage.
The match, conducted behind closed doors due to prior crowd disturbances at FAR's earlier games, saw both teams displaying moments of dominance throughout the first half, yet neither could convert those spells into further goals before halftime. Pyramids, keen on defending their title, came out strong after the interval. They were rewarded for their persistence when Zalaka capitalized on a rebound after a corner, scoring his second goal of the African campaign to bring the teams level.
Looking ahead, the decisive second leg is scheduled for March 21 in Cairo, where the overall victor will face either Renaissance Berkane or Al Hilal of Sudan in the semifinals in April. Last season, Pyramids had a thrilling encounter with FAR in the quarter-finals, edging out with a 4-3 aggregate victory. Following their unexpected triumph in the elite African club competition last year, Pyramids have thus far amassed an impressive eight wins and three draws in their quest for consecutive titles. Their financial success is evident as they pocketed four million dollars after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2024/25 final, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently announced an increase in the first prize to six million dollars, enhancing the stakes for this prestigious tournament.
FAR's early goal rattled Pyramids, as Hammoudan's skillful play led to a precise angled shot that found the back of the net past veteran goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy. The match's atmosphere was subdued due to the closed-door policy, yet both teams fought valiantly for control of the game. Despite the lack of goals in the first half, the intensity remained high. Pyramids' forward Mahmoud Mayele, who was the top scorer in the Champions League last season, was substituted late in the match after an uncharacteristic dry spell of eight games without a goal this season.
Interestingly, the match began at 2200 local time, accommodating the observance of Ramadan, during which players often eat and hydrate only after sunset. This unique scheduling is a common practice during the holy month, leading to late-night matches that sometimes extend over two days. In another notable first leg, Mamelodi Sundowns established a commanding 3-0 lead against Stade Malien in Pretoria, marking a historic moment for the Malian club as they reach the knockout stage of the competition since its format change in 1997.
As reported by arabnews.com.
