Reigning CAF Champions League holders Pyramids FC began their title defence in emphatic fashion on Friday, defeating Nigeria’s Rivers United 3–0 in their opening Group B match, courtesy of a sensational second-half hat-trick by Egyptian forward Ahmed Atef El Sayed.
The fixture, featuring two teams tipped as strong contenders in the group that also includes Morocco’s RS Berkane and Zambia’s Power Dynamos, lived up to its billing—at least for the Egyptians, who seized control after a tight first half.
Rivers United produced a disciplined defensive display in the opening 45 minutes, occasionally threatening on the counter while keeping the champions at bay. But their organisation collapsed after the restart, and Pyramids capitalised with ruthless precision.
Ahmed Atef—whose shirt carries the name Ahmed Atef—broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute with a composed finish. The striker struck again just five minutes later, doubling Pyramids’ lead and deflating Rivers United’s earlier resistance. He completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, capping a brilliant individual performance and sealing a dominant victory for the Egyptians.
The result leaves Rivers United with early work to do in a competitive Group B, while Pyramids underline once again why they are considered one of Africa’s rising football powerhouses.
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