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CAF Champions League

CHAMPIONS’LEAGUE FINAL MATCH MEANS SO MUCH FOR NIGERIA’S JUNIOR AJAYI

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5 years ago

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The CAF Champions League 2020 final will mark a special occasion for Al Ahly’s Nigerian star Junior Ajayi, who is hoping to finally claim the coveted African title which has twice eluded him.

In 2017, Al Ahly lost to Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca 2-1 on aggregate in the decider, before injury prevented the Nigerian from taking part in the same fixture in 2018, which the Red Devils lost to Tunisia’s Esperance 4-3 on aggregate. The 24-year-old forward laments his side’s Champions League ambitions twice being thwarted in the final game.

“It was a bad time for us because coming up just short in consecutive editions isn’t good,” he said. “We’d played very well throughout both of those campaigns but didn’t perform in either final, which cost us the title.”

Having joined Al Ahly from Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien in the summer of 2016, Ajayi quickly made his mark at the Cairo-based club. He helped his side win the domestic league in his first season before scoring nine goals in his second year as they retained the title. Moreover, he scored three times en route to the Champions League final in 2017.

However, the Nigerian suffered a major blow in July 2018, when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Botswana’s Township Rollers in the fourth round of that year’s Champions League group stage. Ajayi, who won a bronze medal with the Super Eagles at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016, described this injury as one of his worst moments.

“Having an injury that kept me out of the game for nearly six months was one of the most frustrating moments of my career.” he said.

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Did you know?

  • Ajayi started out as a midfielder, then became a forward and now mostly plays on the wing.
  • With Al Ahly, he has won four consecutive league titles and lifted the Egyptian Super Cup twice.
  • He scored a brace against Zamalek in last year’s Super Cup triumph.
  • So far this season, he has made 42 appearances for his club in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.

Ajayi’s tale is a testament to the old adage that ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’. After recovering from his six-month layoff, he celebrated another Egyptian league title before helping the Red Devils reach their third Champions League final in the last four years.

“We’re very happy we won the league, which gives us confidence ahead of the coming games,” he said. “We’re only focused on the continental title and will do our best to claim it.”

Having already faced the club’s arch-rivals in big games, Ajayi knows how difficult an opponent Zamalek will be and exactly what will await them at Cairo International Stadium on Friday.

“I expect a good game from both sides,” he said. “The two teams know each other very well, and Zamalek are among the toughest teams I’ve faced. I’ve lost two finals against them and it wasn’t a good feeling.”

Al Ahly and their fans will be hoping Ajayi can replicate his heroics against Zamalek from last year, when he scored twice against them in the Egyptian Super Cup. Were that to happen, no-one would be happier than the player himself.

“I love to play in big games because it highlights your capabilities as a player,” Ajayi said. “I’ve been lucky in scoring against big teams and I feel very happy when I do this.

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“I want to score more goals and hope to win the Champions League, because it’s the only title I still haven’t managed. I hope we can do it because our fans love this tournament so much.”

If Ajayi succeeds in winning the continental title and participating in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020, it will surely be his crowning achievement with the Cairo giants.

–FIFA

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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CAF Champions League

Hattrick Against Rivers United Earns Ahmed Atef El Sayed CAF Interclub Player of the Week

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1 day ago

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November 24, 2025

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Pyramids FC striker Ahmed Atef El Sayed has been named CAF Interclub Player of the Week after his sensational hat-trick powered the defending champions to a commanding 3–0 victory over Rivers United in their CAF Champions’ League Group A opener in Cairo.

The 26-year-old forward produced one of the standout performances of Matchday 1, showcasing lethal finishing, intelligent movement and big-match temperament as Pyramids began their title defence in emphatic fashion.

Rivers United had held firm in a tight and tactical first half, but Atef broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, reacting quickest in a crowded six-yard box to steer home from close range. The goal settled Pyramids and shifted momentum decisively in favour of the North Africans.

Just five minutes later, Atef struck again—this time with the pick of his goals. Rising above the defence, he powered a towering header into the top-right corner from Karim Hafez’s precise cross, underlining his growing pedigree as one of the continent’s most dangerous penalty-box strikers.

He completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, guiding a composed right-footed strike into the bottom-left corner after an incisive pass from Mohamed Reda. Each goal demonstrated a different dimension of his finishing ability and highlighted why he has become indispensable to Pyramids’ attacking blueprint.

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With Atef leading the charge, Pyramids controlled the final stages of the match, securing a win that places them level on points with Morocco’s RS Berkane at the top of Group A.

His heroics not only delivered a perfect start for the Egyptian champions but also reaffirmed his rising status among Africa’s elite attackers. CAF’s recognition of his performance underscores his influence as Pyramids seek to become the first club in over a decade to win back-to-back Champions League titles.

Eyes on the Next Challenge

Atef will once again be central to Pyramids’ ambitions when they travel to face Power Dynamos in their second Group A fixture on Saturday. With his confidence soaring and his form peaking at the right moment, the striker is expected to play a decisive role as the champions continue their pursuit of continental history.

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CAF Champions League

Atef’s Second-Half Hat-Trick dry up Rivers United as Pyramids Cruise to 3–0 Win

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3 days ago

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November 22, 2025

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Reigning CAF Champions League holders Pyramids FC began their title defence in emphatic fashion on Friday, defeating Nigeria’s Rivers United 3–0 in their opening Group B match, courtesy of a sensational second-half hat-trick by Egyptian forward Ahmed Atef El Sayed.

The fixture, featuring two teams tipped as strong contenders in the group that also includes Morocco’s RS Berkane and Zambia’s Power Dynamos, lived up to its billing—at least for the Egyptians, who seized control after a tight first half.

Rivers United produced a disciplined defensive display in the opening 45 minutes, occasionally threatening on the counter while keeping the champions at bay. But their organisation collapsed after the restart, and Pyramids capitalised with ruthless precision.

Ahmed Atef—whose shirt carries the name Ahmed Atef—broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute with a composed finish. The striker struck again just five minutes later, doubling Pyramids’ lead and deflating Rivers United’s earlier resistance. He completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, capping a brilliant individual performance and sealing a dominant victory for the Egyptians.

The result leaves Rivers United with early work to do in a competitive Group B, while Pyramids underline once again why they are considered one of Africa’s rising football powerhouses.

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CAF Champions League

Rivers United Eye Historic Upset in Cairo Against Defending Champions Pyramids FC

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4 days ago

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November 22, 2025

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Rivers United will step onto the turf of the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Saturday with one mission—announce their arrival among Africa’s elite by challenging reigning CAF Champions League champions Pyramids FC in their opening Group A fixture.

For the Port Harcourt-based side, this clash marks a historic milestone. Rivers United are Nigeria’s first club to reach the CAF Champions League group stage since Enyimba in 2018, and their maiden appearance comes with both pride and purpose.

Coach Finidi George, whose side finished runners-up in the Nigeria Premier Football League last season, led the team to the group stage after tough aggregate victories:

  • 1–0 over Aigles du Congo (DR Congo)
  • 3–2 over Black Bulls (Mozambique)

The Nigerians now have their sights set on proving they belong at this level. While Pyramids FC enter the match as clear favourites—armed with a 5-0 and 3-1 aggregate sweep through the preliminaries—the Nigerian flag-bearers believe they can cause an upset.

Finidi George has placed emphasis on defensive discipline and transitional play, the same approach that carried Rivers through two challenging rounds.

The Nigerian side will also draw confidence from the fact that Pyramids will be without several key players, including Ramadan Sobhi, Osama Galal and Mostafa Fathi, all ruled out through injury.

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Their Congolese star Fiston Mayele and Moroccan defender Mohamed Chibi will arrive late after attending the CAF Awards.

Rivers United, in contrast, have had uninterrupted preparations and travel to Cairo with a full-strength squad.

Olanrewaju Yemi Daniel, assistant to Coach Finidi George remarked on a radio programme anchored by Godwin Enakhena that Rivers United have respect for the defending champions, but are far from being afraid.

Pyramids FC enter the group stage on the back of a fairytale year—winning the CAF Champions League, CAF Super Cup, and the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Club Championship, as well as dominating the CAF Awards.

But Rivers United insist they are not in Cairo to admire their hosts.

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“We know what Pyramids have achieved, but we also know what we are capable of,” a club official said before departure. “This is a chance for Rivers United to show that Nigerian football still belongs among Africa’s very best.”

Coach Finidi has reportedly echoed the sentiment internally, urging his players to approach the fixture with “courage, structure and belief.”

Group A Battle Begins

Rivers United share Group A with:

  • Pyramids FC (Egypt) – defending champions
  • RS Berkane (Morocco) – two-time CAF Confederation Cup winners
  • Power Dynamos (Zambia)

A positive start in Cairo could set the tone for what would be a landmark campaign for Nigerian club football.

For Rivers United, Saturday’s match is more than a group-stage opener—it is a statement of return, resilience and ambition.

And as they walk out into the echoing stands of the 30 June Stadium, they will be carrying the hopes of a nation eager to see Nigeria reclaim its place on the continent’s biggest club stage.

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