Five-Star Statement: Pyramids Crush Gor Mahia and Set Up Al-Merrikh Bentiu Clash

14/9/2026
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By: EgyScores
.News
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Pyramids FC continued their strong start to the CAF Champions League after securing a place in the Round of 32 with an impressive 5-1 victory over Kenya’s Gor Mahia in the second leg of the first preliminary round.

The result completed a dominant performance across the two matches, with Pyramids advancing 7-1 on aggregate after winning the first leg in Kenya 2-0.

The Egyptian side entered the return match at the 30 June Stadium with a comfortable advantage, but they did not treat the game as a formality. Pyramids started aggressively and looked determined to remove any hope Gor Mahia had of producing a comeback.

They created several chances in the opening stages, while the Kenyan side struggled to offer a real attacking threat.

Three before the break

Pyramids finally turned their pressure into a goal in the 27th minute.

Karim Hafez delivered a cross from the left, and Walid El Karti made a clever run behind the defence before heading the ball into the net.

El Karti once again made the difference against Gor Mahia after also scoring in the first leg.

Ten minutes later, Pyramids doubled their lead. Ahmed Abdel Kader played a smart pass to Nasser Maher, who finished with a low shot to make it 2-0 on the night.

Youssef Obama had already gone close to scoring on more than one occasion. One of his attempts hit the crossbar, while another lob went just wide.

However, Obama eventually got his goal in first-half stoppage time. Mostafa Fathi created the opportunity and Obama finished with a low shot to give Pyramids a three-goal advantage.

Gor Mahia managed to respond before the break, scoring during stoppage time to reduce the deficit and send the teams into half-time with Pyramids leading 3-1.

The Kenyan side showed more attacking ambition after the restart and tried to take advantage of some mistakes in Pyramids' passing.

Despite that improvement, Gor Mahia could not find another goal, while Pyramids continued to create chances of their own.

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The Egyptian side also appealed for a penalty late in the game after substitute Mahmoud Abdel Hafez "Zalaka" went down following a challenge, but the referee allowed play to continue.

Pyramids then finished the match strongly.

Mostafa Ziko scored the fourth goal after taking advantage of a mistake by the Gor Mahia goalkeeper, who lost control of the situation while trying to deal with the ball.

There was still time for another goal.

Zalaka broke through, went past the goalkeeper and finished into the net during stoppage time to complete a 5-1 victory and put the final touch on a convincing night for Pyramids.

Al-Merrikh await in October

The victory completed a comfortable first preliminary round for Pyramids.

They won the first leg 2-0 through goals from Walid El Karti and Mahmoud Saber before adding another five goals in Cairo to seal a 7-1 aggregate victory.

The goals in the return match came from El Karti, Nasser Maher, Youssef Obama, Mostafa Ziko and Mahmoud Zalaka, showing the range of attacking options available to the Egyptian side.

Pyramids will now face South Sudan champions Al-Merrikh Bentiu in the Round of 32 after they secured their own place in the next stage by overcoming Somalia’s Heegan.

The first leg of the next round is scheduled to be played on one of October 16, 17 or 18, while the return match will take place on one of October 23, 24 or 25.

After such a comfortable victory over Gor Mahia, Pyramids will head into the next round with confidence.

However, the challenge will become more difficult as the competition progresses, and the Egyptian side will be hoping that their powerful attacking start can develop into a long run in the CAF Champions League.