Pyramids ease past APR to reach TotalEnergies CAF Champions League second round

Egyptian giants Pyramids FC underlined their title credentials with a dominant 3–0 win over Rwanda’s APR in Cairo on Sunday, completing a 5–0 aggregate triumph to book their place in the Second Preliminary Round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Goals from Mostafa Abdel Raouf “Zico,” Ahmed Atef “Qatta,” and Mohamed Hamdy sealed a comfortable night for the reigning African champions, who were rarely troubled by the visitors at the Air Defense Stadium.

Having already won 2–0 in Kigali thanks to a brace from Congolese striker Fiston Mayele, title holders Pyramids controlled the return leg from the outset. 

Zico opened the scoring just before half-time with a well-taken finish from inside the box, setting the tone for a commanding second period.

After the break, Moroccan full-back Mohamed El Shibe delivered a precise cross for Qatta to head home the second in the 61st minute, before Hamdy added a third just two minutes later following a superb long pass from Platini Touré.

Head coach Krunoslav Jurčić made several late changes to manage fitness levels, introducing Abdelrahman Magdy, Walid El Karti, Dodo El Gabbas, and Everton da Silva as Pyramids saw out the game with ease.

The victory sets up a Second Preliminary Round clash against Ethiopian Insurance, as Pyramids continue their campaign to defend their historic TotalEnergies CAF Champions League crown — their first ever continental title won last season.