Rivers United suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against defending CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC in their Group B opener at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium on Saturday.
The Egyptian side set the tone for their title defence with a brilliant second-half performance, highlighted by a hat-trick from forward Ahmed Atef El Sayed. Rivers United had managed to hold the reigning champions at bay during a disciplined first half, occasionally threatening on the counter and going into the break level.
However, the Port Harcourt side’s defensive organisation collapsed after the restart. Atef opened the scoring in the 52nd minute with a composed finish, doubled the lead just five minutes later, and completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, ensuring a commanding victory for Pyramids FC.
Group B, also featuring Morocco’s RS Berkane and Zambia’s Power Dynamos, now poses a significant challenge for Rivers United. The defeat leaves the Nigerian side with plenty of work to do as they aim to bounce back in their next group-stage match.
Pyramids’ emphatic win reinforced their status as one of Africa’s rising football powerhouses and a team to watch in the competition.
