Pyramids FC crashed out of the CAF Champions League after suffering a 2-1 home defeat to AS FAR in the second leg of their quarter final clash at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium.
The Egyptian side had gone into the return leg with a slight edge following a 1-1 draw in Rabat, but the visitors produced a disciplined and clinical performance to overturn the tie and progress 3-2 on aggregate.
AS FAR started brightly and took the lead as early as the ninth minute through Reda Slim, who finished confidently from inside the box after sustained early pressure on the hosts’ defence. Pyramids struggled to respond in the first half and thought they had a chance to get back into the game in the 37th minute when they appealed for a penalty, but after a VAR review the referee waved play on.
The Moroccan side continued their dominance after the break and doubled their advantage in the 54th minute when Mohamed Rabie Hrimat rose highest to head home, putting Pyramids in a difficult position.
Pyramids responded with attacking changes from coach Krunoslav Jurčić, introducing fresh legs in a bid to revive their chances. The move paid off in the 64th minute when Fiston Mayele headed home to reduce the deficit and give the home side hope.
Despite increasing pressure in the closing stages, Pyramids were unable to find the equaliser as AS FAR remained compact at the back and managed the game effectively to see out the win.
Further substitutions from the hosts, including the introduction of Mostafa Fathy and Karim Hafez, failed to change the outcome as the Moroccan side held firm.
The result sends AS FAR into the semi finals, where they will face either RS Berkane or Al-Hilal Omdurman, as they continue their pursuit of continental glory.
