Defending champions Pyramids FC will aim to complete a flawless CAF Champions League group-stage campaign when they host Zambia’s Power Dynamos at the Air Defense Stadium on Saturday.

The Cairo-based side has already secured its place in the quarter-finals after a dominant run that has yielded 13 points from five matches. Their qualification was sealed in emphatic fashion with a 4–1 away victory over Nigeria’s Rivers United in the previous round.

Pyramids have recorded four wins and a draw so far and are determined to wrap up the group phase without tasting defeat.

While top spot is already guaranteed for the Egyptian side, the race for the second qualifying ticket remains finely balanced.

 Morocco’s RS Berkane and Power Dynamos are tied on seven points, each with two wins, one draw and two losses. That scenario makes Saturday’s encounter a must-win fixture for the Zambian visitors, who must secure a positive result in Cairo to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

Despite having already booked a place in the knockout stage, Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurčić insists his side will maintain a winning mentality as they seek to carry momentum into the next phase.

“We are playing to win and to collect three points. We want to finish the group stage in the best possible way to maintain our rhythm and enter the knockout rounds with momentum,” Jurčić said during Friday’s pre-match press conference.

The 56-year-old tactician, however, confirmed plans to rotate his squad due to a congested fixture schedule.

“This is a good chance to give playing time to players who have not featured regularly. Preparing all squad members is essential for us to continue our journey with the same strength in the coming period,” he added.

Winter signings, including Jordanian goalkeeper Odeh Al-Fakhouri and former Zamalek midfielder Nasser Maher, are expected to feature after impressing off the bench in the previous outing. Zambian winger Pascal Phiri could also be handed a starting role.

For Power Dynamos, the task is formidable. The Zambian side not only need a result against the group leaders but will also be seeking revenge for their 1–0 home defeat to Pyramids in November.

Should RS Berkane and Power Dynamos finish level on points at the end of the group stage, qualification will be decided by head-to-head records — a scenario that currently favours the Moroccan club.

With pride, momentum and a quarter-final berth at stake, Saturday’s clash in Cairo promises high tension despite Pyramids’ early qualification.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Rivers United joined compatriots Remo Stars in crashing out of the CAF Champions League after suffering a heavy 7–1 aggregate defeat, following a 4–1 loss at home to Pyramids FC on Sunday.

The defeat echoed Remo Stars’ earlier fate in the competition, where they were overwhelmed 5–1 at home by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns before losing 2-0 away.

In a similar fashion, Rivers collected a 3-0 deficit away in Cairo before the 4-1 home loss to get an aggregate of 7-1 loss.

Both Nigerian sides exited the tournament on identical aggregate scorelines. Pyramids and Sundowns were the two finalists in last season’s CAF Champions League.

Despite fielding a largely second-string side, Pyramids were briefly shaken when Rivers United midfielder Stephen Manyo put the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute with a free kick, ending the Egyptian club’s run without conceding a goal in the group stage.

The visitors, who had already secured qualification for the quarter-finals, responded emphatically after the break. Mostafa Fathi equalised in the 52nd minute before Marawan Hamdi converted a penalty in the 77th minute to give Pyramids the lead.

Substitute winger Odeh Al-Fakhouri, making his debut after joining the club this month, added a third goal, while fellow substitute Nasser Maher completed the rout in injury time to seal a comprehensive away victory.

The result confirmed Pyramids’ dominance of Group A, as they moved to 13 points, six ahead of second-placed RS Berkane. Rivers United’s fourth defeat of the group stage ended their hopes of progressing.

Pyramids had already sealed top spot in the group following RS Berkane’s 2–0 defeat by Power Dynamos, and will round off their group campaign against the Zambian side in Cairo on Sunday in a match with no bearing on qualification in this season’s CAF Champions League.

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Egypt’s Pyramids FC sealed their place in the knockout stage of the CAF Champions League with a commanding 4–1 comeback victory over Nigeria’s Rivers United in a Group C encounter on Sunday.

The result confirmed Pyramids FC’s progression to the last eight while simultaneously ending Rivers United’s hopes, as the Nigerian champions suffered a fourth defeat in the group—remarkably their third loss on home soil.

Rivers United had taken a surprise lead through Stephen Manyo in the 33^rd minute, before the break, lifting hopes of a revival in front of their home supporters.

However, the Egyptian side returned from halftime with renewed purpose and completely turned the game on its head, scoring four unanswered goals to underline their superiority.

Their comeback began with Mostafa Fathy levelling up in the 52^nd minute before snatching the lead through a Marwan Hamdy penalty kick in the 77^th minute.

Jordanian Odeh Fakhoury extended the lead just two minutes into regulation time before Nasser Maher put the final nail in the coffin, a minute into the added time.

Pyramids FC’s second-half onslaught exposed the defensive frailties of the hosts, who struggled to cope with the visitors’ pace, movement and clinical finishing as the match wore on.

The emphatic win lifted the Egyptian side beyond reach in Group C, mathematically securing their passage to the knockout phase with a game to spare.

For Rivers United, the defeat confirmed an early exit from the competition and compounded a disappointing continental campaign. Having now lost four group matches, including three at home, the Nigerian side will be left to reflect on missed opportunities and defensive lapses that proved costly at this level.

With qualification assured, Pyramids FC can now approach their remaining group fixture with confidence as they look ahead to the business end of Africa’s premier club competition.

Meanwhile, Zambia’s Power Dynamos bounced back into reckoning after beating Morocco’s RS Berkane 2-0 to level on points at seven. A win on Saturday against Pyramids could see them pick the second ticket of the group if Rivers United win their away duel against Berkane.

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