Pyramids FC Faces Unexpected Defeat in CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals
The reigning champions, Pyramids FC of Egypt, suffered a surprising defeat in the CAF Champions League, bowing out of the tournament after a 2-1 loss to FAR Rabat from Morocco in the second leg of the quarter-finals. This unexpected result allowed FAR to advance with a 3-2 aggregate score, setting them up for a semi-final clash against either Renaissance Berkane or Al Hilal of Sudan in April.
The match commenced with FAR taking an early lead when Reda Slim scored in the ninth minute. The Moroccan side maintained their momentum, and captain Mohamed Hrimat doubled the lead in the 54th minute. Pyramids managed to respond with a goal from Mahmoud Mayele, who found the back of the net just after the hour mark, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
Controversy surrounded the match as Pyramids felt they should have been awarded a penalty when a cross from Ahmed Atef struck Hrimat's arm, yet after a lengthy VAR review, referees opted to dismiss the penalty appeal. This decision proved crucial as it maintained FAR's narrow lead during a tense encounter.
Historically, FAR Rabat holds the distinction of being the first Moroccan team to win this prestigious competition back in 1985, although their performance had waned in subsequent years with little success in the modern format introduced a decade later. This victory was especially sweet for FAR, who had previously been eliminated by Pyramids at the same stage last season.
Pyramids began the second leg as the only team among the last eight without a loss in the tournament, having registered eight victories and three draws in 11 qualifying and group matches. On the other side, FAR's journey to the knockout stage included a mix of results, with one win, one loss, and three draws away from home, under the guidance of Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos.
As Pyramids faced this unexpected exit, their Egyptian counterparts Al Ahly were set to face Esperance of Tunisia in another quarter-final match, while Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa prepared to take on Stade Malien in Bamako with a comfortable 3-0 lead from the first leg.
As reported by beinsports.com.
