The Egyptian club Pyramids, the title holders, secured their qualification for the quarter-finals of the African Champions League with a resounding 3-0 victory over their Moroccan guests, Nahdat Berkane, on Sunday evening at the “Air Defence” Stadium in Cairo.
With this result, the Egyptian team raised its tally to 10 points, taking first place in the Group 1 standings, with a 3-point lead over second-placed Nahdat Berkane. Zambian club Power Dynamos occupies third place with 4 points, while Nigeria’s Rivers United is fourth with a single point.
The first half ended with Pyramids leading by one goal. Mahmoud Abdel Hafez “Zalaka” opened the scoring in the 11th minute following a cross from Nasser Maher, meeting it with a precise header that found the back of the net past Moroccan goalkeeper Mehdi Miftah.
In the second half, Pyramids continued their pressure and succeeded in adding a second goal in the 74th minute. “Zalaka” led a swift counter-attack and passed the ball into the penalty area to Nasser Maher, who slotted it home.
The hosts completed the hat-trick in the 80th minute through Ahmed Atef, with a powerful left-footed shot that settled into the right corner of the goal, following a pass from the Moroccan player Walid El Karti.
Pyramids
The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are ancient monumental tombs constructed during the Old Kingdom period, most famously around 2580–2560 BCE for Pharaoh Khufu. These iconic structures were built as part of a vast funerary complex to ensure the king’s safe passage to the afterlife. They remain one of the most recognizable and enduring symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization.
African Champions League
The African Champions League is the premier annual club football competition organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It was founded in 1964 as the African Cup of Champions Clubs, with Oryx Douala of Cameroon winning the inaugural title, and was rebranded to its current name in 1997. The tournament crowns the continent’s top club, with Egypt’s Al Ahly holding the record for the most titles.
Nahdat Berkane
Nahdat Berkane is a Moroccan football club based in Berkane, founded in 1938. It is historically known for its strong community ties and has gained significant prominence in recent years by winning multiple Moroccan Throne Cups and the CAF Confederation Cup in 2020 and 2022.
Air Defence Stadium
The Air Defence Stadium is a multi-purpose sports venue located in Cairo, Egypt, primarily used for football matches. It was constructed in 2007 and serves as the home ground for several Egyptian Premier League clubs, including Zamalek SC for a period. The stadium is named in recognition of the Egyptian Air Defence Forces branch of the military.
Cairo
Cairo is the sprawling capital of Egypt, founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty near ancient capitals like Memphis. It is famously home to historic Islamic districts, the Egyptian Museum, and the Giza Pyramids located on its outskirts.
Egypt
Egypt is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 5,000 years and famed for its pharaohs, pyramids, and monuments along the Nile River. Its rich cultural heritage, from ancient wonders like the Great Sphinx to Islamic Cairo, continues to define its identity as a modern nation.
Morocco
Morocco is a North African country with a rich history shaped by indigenous Amazigh (Berber) cultures, Arab influence from the 7th century, and successive dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads. Its cultural sites, such as the ancient city of Fez and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, reflect this blend of Arab, Islamic, and Amazigh heritage. The country’s historic medinas, kasbahs, and varied landscapes from the Sahara Desert to the Atlas Mountains are central to its identity.
Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa, historically home to various Bantu-speaking groups and later part of the British Empire as Northern Rhodesia before gaining independence in 1964. It is renowned for its vast natural landscapes, most notably Victoria Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls, which is a major cultural and tourist site shared with Zimbabwe.
Power Dynamos
Power Dynamos is a Zambian professional football club based in Kitwe, established in 1966. It is historically linked to the country’s mining industry and has been one of the most successful clubs in Zambian football, winning multiple league titles.
Nigeria
Nigeria is a country in West Africa with a rich history shaped by ancient kingdoms like the Nok, Benin, and Oyo, as well as its colonial past under British rule before gaining independence in 1960. It is Africa’s most populous nation and a cultural powerhouse, globally influential through its vibrant music, film (Nollywood), and literary traditions.
Rivers United
Rivers United is a Nigerian professional football club based in Port Harcourt, formed in 2016 from the merger of two local clubs, Sharks FC and Dolphins FC. It competes in the Nigeria Professional Football League and has quickly become a significant force, winning the NPFL title in the 2021–2022 season.
