How Defending Champions Pyramids Sit Pretty Atop Group A Pyramid

Defending champions Pyramids FC tightened their grip on Group A of the CAF Champions League after a commanding 3–0 victory over Morocco’s RS Berkane in Cairo on Sunday, a result that leaves them on the brink of qualification for the quarter-finals.

The Egyptian side produced a composed and clinical display at the Air Defence Stadium, asserting their authority from the outset to move clear at the summit of the group and underline their growing stature in Africa’s premier club competition.

Pyramids set the tone early and were rewarded in the 10th minute when Mahmoud Abdel Hafeez, popularly known as Zalaka, powered home a close-range header following a precise delivery from Nasser Maher. It was a goal that reflected the champions’ sharpness and intent, with Maher’s influence evident throughout the contest.

After the interval, Berkane attempted to mount a response, but their efforts failed to seriously test goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy. Pyramids, well organised and tactically disciplined, continued to dictate the tempo while exploiting spaces on the counter-attack.

The decisive moment arrived in the 74th minute when Nasser Maher crowned an impressive performance by scoring his first goal in a Pyramids shirt. Picking up a quick transition initiated by Zalaka, Maher finished confidently from inside the penalty area to double the lead and effectively extinguish Berkane’s hopes of a comeback.

Further gloss was added to the scoreline six minutes later as Ahmed Atef, nicknamed Qatta, struck the third goal in the 80th minute to cap a dominant evening for the home side.

The victory lifts Pyramids to 10 points from four matches, three clear of second-placed Berkane, leaving the Egyptian champions firmly in control of Group A and on the verge of sealing a place in the last eight. Berkane remain on seven points, but their qualification hopes are now under pressure, with Zambia’s Power Dynamos closing in as the battle for the group’s second qualifying spot intensifies.

For Pyramids, the result represents another emphatic statement of intent as they continue their title defence, blending attacking flair with growing tactical maturity at a crucial stage of the competition.

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