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The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Pyramids are champions of continent but still second best at home
Soccer Football - CAF Champions League - Final - Second Leg - Pyramids v Mamelodi Sundowns - 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 1, 2025 Pyramids' Mohamed Chibi celebrates with the trophy after winning the CAF Champions League REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh CAIRO (Reuters) -Unfancied Pyramids of Egypt might have been crowned African champions on Sunday, but their Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic said they still faced a struggle to assert themselves in their own country. The club - who changed their name, moved to Cairo and won promotion to the Egyptian top flight seven years ago - triumphed in the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate win over two legs against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa. It was only a second trophy, after Egyptian Cup success last season, for the club in just their second Champions League campaign. They have been seeking to emerge from the shadow of Cairo giants Al Ahly and Zamalek, who have not only dominated Egyptian competition but the Champions League as well. "When I started with the team last season, we played excellent football and had a long run of winning matches in a row but even then, this was not enough to be champion here,' said Jurcic. "This year again, we were very close but you know that Al Ahly is the best club in Africa, they are very good, they are very strong and it's very difficult to compete against a club like them." SUPPORT The 55-year-old Jurcic was delighted that his appeals for support ensured a 30,000-strong crowd at Sunday's decider in the June 30 Stadium, usually largely empty for their games, where they won the second leg 2-1. Cairo's passionate football followers traditionally support either Al Ahly or Zamalek, with little affection for any of the other sides based in the city. 'I'm very grateful for the crowd that came today,' he said after lifting the trophy. 'Usually we get to the stadium 90 minutes before kickoff and there is noone here. 'It's disheartening for the players, and I find it's my job to transmit positive energy to try and get them up for the matches,' Jurcic added. The former Croatia international, who played for his country when they finished third at the 1998 World Cup, patrolled the touchline like a man possessed, jumping up and down and cajoling his players throughout the 90 minutes of action. 'I believe that I can transmit my energy in a positive way, and I think that we can be competitive in the future with all the best teams in Egypt. 'But whether we can stay a force is something to see in the future,' he added. (Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Pyramids are champions of continent but still second best at home
Soccer Football - CAF Champions League - Final - Second Leg - Pyramids v Mamelodi Sundowns - 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt - June 1, 2025 Pyramids' Mohamed Chibi celebrates with the trophy after winning the CAF Champions League REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh Pyramids are champions of continent but still second best at home CAIRO - Unfancied Pyramids of Egypt might have been crowned African champions on Sunday, but their Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic said they still faced a struggle to assert themselves in their own country. The club - who changed their name, moved to Cairo and won promotion to the Egyptian top flight seven years ago - triumphed in the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate win over two legs against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa. It was only a second trophy, after Egyptian Cup success last season, for the club in just their second Champions League campaign. They have been seeking to emerge from the shadow of Cairo giants Al Ahly and Zamalek, who have not only dominated Egyptian competition but the Champions League as well. "When I started with the team last season, we played excellent football and had a long run of winning matches in a row but even then, this was not enough to be champion here,' said Jurcic. "This year again, we were very close but you know that Al Ahly is the best club in Africa, they are very good, they are very strong and it's very difficult to compete against a club like them." SUPPORT The 55-year-old Jurcic was delighted that his appeals for support ensured a 30,000-strong crowd at Sunday's decider in the June 30 Stadium, usually largely empty for their games, where they won the second leg 2-1. Cairo's passionate football followers traditionally support either Al Ahly or Zamalek, with little affection for any of the other sides based in the city. 'I'm very grateful for the crowd that came today,' he said after lifting the trophy. 'Usually we get to the stadium 90 minutes before kickoff and there is noone here. 'It's disheartening for the players, and I find it's my job to transmit positive energy to try and get them up for the matches,' Jurcic added. The former Croatia international, who played for his country when they finished third at the 1998 World Cup, patrolled the touchline like a man possessed, jumping up and down and cajoling his players throughout the 90 minutes of action. 'I believe that I can transmit my energy in a positive way, and I think that we can be competitive in the future with all the best teams in Egypt. 'But whether we can stay a force is something to see in the future,' he added. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Pyramids snatch Sundowns draw in African Champions League final first leg
Soccer - CAF Champions League - Final - First Leg - Mamelodi Sundowns v Pyramids - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa - May 24, 2025 Pyramids' Walid El Karti celebrates scoring their first goal with Mohamed Chibi REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko PRETORIA (Reuters) -Egypt's Pyramids equalised four minutes into stoppage time to snatch a 1-1 draw at Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the first leg of the African Champions League final on Saturday. With the away goals rule still applying in African club competition, the momentum now swings the way of the Cairo club after Walid El Karti deservedly headed home at the back post after a strong finish to the game at Loftus Versfeld. Sundowns had taken the lead through Brazilian midfielder Lucas Ribeiro in the 54th minute with a curling left-footed shot after a deflected clearance fell perfectly for him. The SouthAfrican club were strong favourites going into the tie against the Egyptian side, who are competing in the Champions League for only a second time. But the hosts were surprised by the strong pressing and running of the visitors, who defied the high altitude to emerge the better of the two sides. Sundowns, whose only previous Champions League success came in 2016, had a first-half chance when Iqraam Rayners' effort was saved by Ahmed El Shenawy but the Egyptians always looked lively on the counter and forced several errors from the home defence. However, they had to wait until virtually the last touch of the game as a cross from Mohamed Hamdy on the left was allowed to bounce in the box and went through for El Karti to finish. The return leg at Cairo's Air Defence Stadium is next Sunday, June 1. (Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ken Ferris)
CAF
14-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
African club round-up: Al Ahly draw with Pyramids
Published: Monday, 14 April 2025 African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results. EGYPT Ahmed Reda scored a dramatic equaliser six minutes into stoppage time to salvage a draw for Al Ahly away against Pyramids in the Premier League on Saturday, but the champions now trail Pyramids by four points in the title race. Pyramids are now well placed for their first league title after their Moroccan right back Mohamed Chibi handed them a late lead four minutes from time, despite being down to 10 men after Mohannad Lashin has sent off early in the second half at Cairo's 30 June Stadium. The numerical disadvantage cost them ultimately, however, as substitute Reda equalised with a rocket-like shot. Both Ahly and Pyramids head to South Africa this weekend to play their respective TotalEnergies CAF Champions League semi-finals on Saturday. Zamalek's 2-0 win over Harras El-Hodoud in Alexandria on Sunday kept them in third spot, six points behind Pyramids and two behind second placed Ahly. Veteran midfielder Abdallah El Said put Zamalek ahead from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time before substitute striker Nasser Mansi added the second in the last minutes. It was a winning reaction from Zamalek after last Wednesday being bundled out of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup by South African club Stellenbosch. Senegalese striker Pape Badji netted a hattrick as Al Masry also bounced back from Confederation Cup elimination to thrash Petrojet 4-0 in Suez on Sunday. GHANA Bibiani Gold Stars took advantage of a home slip by Asante Kotoko to join the Kumasi giants at the summit of Premier League with the race for the title now heading toward the business end of the season. Stars were 1-0 home winners over Young Apostles on Sunday to advance to 47 points, behind Kotoko on goal difference only. The Porcupine Warriors had to chase their home game against Bechem United after Darlvin Yeboah stunned home fans by opening the scoring in the 69th minute. Kotoko salvaged a point from a late penalty which Albert Amoah tucked away. The co-leaders both have eight matches left in the campaign. Nations are two points behind in third place but did not play this weekend as scheduled opponents Nsoatreman have withdrawn from the league. As a result, Nations received a 3-0 forfeit victory. Three clubs sit in fourth spot on 41 points, all still with outside hopes of championship success. Medeama had a 4-0 home win over Dreams in Tarkwa on Friday which saw them catch up to Heart of Lions, who lost 1-0 at Berekum Chelsea on Sunday, and Hearts of Oak, who drew 1-1 at Vision in Tema on Sunday. ZIMBABWE Newcomers Moors World of Sports remain the only unbeaten side after six rounds of the new Premier Soccer League season after defending champions Ngezi Platinum suffered their first defeat of the campaign on Saturday. MWOS have a one-point advantage at the summit of the standings after winning 1-0 away over Herentals in Shamva on Sunday, courtesy of a 20 th minute own goal. Ngezi Platinum went down 2-1 to TelOne in Gweru on Saturday and slipped to second as they remained on 13 points. Simba Bhora's 4-1 home triumph over Manica Diamonds in Shamva on Saturday saw them advance to 11 points, alongside Scotland who drew 1-1 at Yadah in Harare on Saturday. CAMEROON Colombe Sud lead in Elite One remained six points ahead at the top after both they and chasing Gazelle won on Sunday. Colombe were 1-0 away winners in Douala at Aigle Royale Moungo with defender Hamid Hamza scoring the only goal of the game. Gazelle were 3-0 home victors over Union Douala in Garoua, having opened the scoring in the first minute through Jean-Paul Akono and then Serge Daura and Colbert Bini adding two more in the second half. Daura joins Simplice Mbang of Stade Renard at the top of goal scorers chart with 10 each. UGANDA Vipers were held to a 2-2 draw by Express on Friday but still top the Premier League but their lead over NEC is now two points with seven rounds of the season remaining. Vipers came from two goals down in Nakivubo to salvage a potentially vital point.
Al-Ahram Weekly
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ten-man Pyramids FC cement in Egyptian League summit with 1-1 draw against holders Ahly - Egyptian Football
Pyramids FC moved one step closer to their first-ever Egyptian Premier League title after battling to a 1-1 draw against defending champions Ahly in the second matchday of the Playoff Stage on Saturday. The game appeared to be heading for a goalless stalemate until Moroccan right-back Mohamed Chibi broke the deadlock in the 86th minute with a powerful strike inside the area, putting Pyramids FC on the verge of securing three crucial points. However, Ahly youngster substitute Ahmed Reda had other plans, scoring a stunning equalizer in injury time with a rocket of a shot from inside the area to keep the defending champions' hopes alive in the title race. Pyramids FC remain atop the Egyptian Premier League standings with 44 points, four ahead of second-placed Ahly, with six games remaining in the final phase. Ahly dominated possession throughout the match, creating more scoring chances, but Pyramids FC's determination to claim their maiden league title kept the Reds at bay. The early stages saw Ahly come close to taking the lead. Emam Ashour, unmarked inside the box, fired over the bar just five minutes into the game. Pyramids FC then responded with a chance of their own, as winger Karim Hafez unleashed a powerful shot in the 15th minute. Still, Ahly's veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy produced a crucial save to deny him. Ahly suffered a setback in the 24th minute when Moroccan left-back Yahya Attiat-Allah sustained a knee injury, forcing him off the pitch and paving the way for Karim El-Debes to take his place. As the first half wound down, Wessam Abou Ali came close to giving Ahly the lead with a powerful header in the 44th minute, but the ball crashed off the crossbar. In a bitter twist, Ahly coach Marcel Koller was forced to make an early change when El-Debes, who had come on as a substitute, was injured just before the break. Koller quickly adjusted his tactics, shifting right-back Mohamed Hani to the left side and bringing midfielder Akram Tawfik onto the right wing. Pyramids FC were dealt a major blow in the 57th minute when midfielder Mohannad Lashin was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Ahly winger Ashour. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Pyramids FC held firm. Koller made further attacking adjustments, bringing on winger Taher Mohamed Taher and young forward Mohamed Abdallah to replace Achraf Bencharki and Hussein El Shahat, respectively, to break the deadlock. Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurcic responded by introducing forwards Marwan Hamdi and Sodiq Awujoola in the 73rd minute, aiming to bolster his side's attack. Jurcic made additional defensive changes after Pyramids FC's late goal to shore up the backline, as Ahly pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages. The Red Devils finally found their breakthrough in the dying seconds of added time when Reda struck his equalizer, sending the game into the final moments. The referee blew the whistle immediately after the goal, securing the draw for both teams. With this point, Pyramids FC remain firmly in control of the title race, but Ahly will be eager to capitalize on any slip-ups in the remaining matchdays. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
