Pyramids FC secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Orlando Pirates in a pulsating encounter in Match Round 1 of the CAF Champions League at the Pyramids Stadium.
The game burst into life when Relebohile Mofokeng opened the scoring for Orlando Pirates in the 41st minute, giving the South African side a 1-0 lead. However, Fiston Kalala Mayele responded almost immediately for Pyramids FC, equalizing just before halftime with a clinical finish to make it 1-1.
Orlando Pirates regained the lead early in the second half through Mohau Nkota’s strike in the 52nd minute, putting the visitors ahead 2-1. The game continued to be a back-and-forth affair as Pyramids FC fought back once again, with Ramadan Sobhi Ramadan Ahmed leveling the score at 2-2 in the 57th minute with a well-taken goal.
As the tension mounted in the final stages of the match, Fiston Kalala Mayele emerged as the hero for Pyramids FC, scoring his second goal of the game in the 84th minute to give his team a crucial 3-2 lead. The Congolese striker’s late goal proved to be the decisive moment in a fiercely contested encounter.
The victory sees Pyramids FC kick off their CAF Champions League campaign with a hard-fought win, while Orlando Pirates will be left to rue missed opportunities despite a spirited performance.
The match showcased the competitive nature of African club football, with both teams displaying skill, determination, and a never-say-die attitude throughout the 90 minutes. Pyramids FC will look to build on this result as they aim to progress in the tournament, while Orlando Pirates will regroup and focus on their next challenge in the Champions League.
Overall, it was a thrilling contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, highlighting the excitement and drama that the CAF Champions League consistently delivers.
Line-ups:
Pyramids FC
- Ahmed Nasser Abdel Razek El Shenawy (6.3)
- Mohamed Chibi (7.3)
- Mahmoud Marei Abd El Fadil Sharafeldin (6.5)
- Ahmed Samy Saad (7)
- Mohamed Hamdy Mahmoud Sharfedin (6.9)
- Walid El Karti (6.6)
- Mohanad Mostafa Ahmed Abdelmonem (6.5)
- Ibrahim Blati Touré (6.9)
- Mostafa Mohamed Fathi Abdel Hameid Mohamed Abdelha (7.2)
- Fiston Kalala Mayele (8.7)
- Karim Hafez Ramadan Seif El Din (6.6)
Orlando Pirates
Substitutions:
Pyramids FC
- Sodiq Ougola (Mohanad Mostafa Ahmed Abdelmonem, 56)
- Ramadan Sobhi Ramadan Ahmed (Walid El Karti, 56)
- Marwan Hamdy Mehany (Ibrahim Blati Touré, 82)
- Ali Gabr Gabr Mossad (Mahmoud Marei Abd El Fadil Sharafeldin, 90)
- Ahmed Tawfik Mohamed Hassan (Fiston Kalala Mayele, 90)
Orlando Pirates
- Bandile Shandu (Deano David van Rooyen, 56)
- Kabelo Dlamini (Thalente Mbatha, 77)
- Patrick Maswanganyi (Mohau Nkota, 77)
- Tshegofatso John Mabasa (Sekotori Evidence Makgopa, 88)
- Boitumelo Lawrence Radiopane (Tapelo Xoki, 88)
Ball possession:
In a highly anticipated clash between Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates, Pyramids FC dominated possession with 61% compared to Orlando Pirates’ 39%. The match witnessed a flurry of shots from both sides, with Pyramids FC taking the lead in terms of shots on target.
Pyramids FC’s forward, Mostafa Mohamed Fathi Abdel Hameid Mohamed Abdelha, proved to be the most active player on the field, unleashing a total of 14 shots, with 8 of them finding their way on goal. His attacking prowess was on full display, keeping the Orlando Pirates defense on their toes throughout the match.
On the other hand, Orlando Pirates managed to create opportunities of their own, registering 11 shots on target. Mohau Nkota stood out for the Pirates, showcasing his sharpshooting skills with 3 shots hitting the target.
Despite the intense back-and-forth action, both teams struggled to convert their chances into goals, resulting in a goalless draw. The match was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, leaving fans eager for their next encounter.
Overall, Pyramids FC’s dominant ball possession and prolific shooting display, along with Orlando Pirates’ resilience in defense and sharp shooting, made for an exciting and evenly contested match between the two sides.
Passes:
In a thrilling encounter between Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates, Mohamed Hamdy Mahmoud Sharfedin showcased his exceptional passing accuracy, completing 72% of his 72 passes. Sharfedin’s precise distribution played a pivotal role in Pyramids FC’s dominance in possession throughout the match.
On the opposite end, Tapelo Xoki of Orlando Pirates struggled to find his rhythm, managing a pass accuracy of 63% from 36 passes. Despite his efforts, Xoki faced immense pressure from Pyramids FC’s relentless pressing, limiting his effectiveness in dictating the flow of the game.
The creative flair of Mohamed Chibi shone brightly for Pyramids FC, with the midfielder delivering 4 key passes that unlocked Orlando Pirates’ defense on multiple occasions. Chibi’s vision and execution were instrumental in creating scoring opportunities for his team, showcasing his ability to influence the game in critical moments.
In response, Mohau Nkota of Orlando Pirates displayed glimpses of his playmaking abilities with 2 key passes that tested Pyramids FC’s defensive resolve. Nkota’s contributions were crucial in sparking counterattacks and transitions for Orlando Pirates, showcasing his potential to make an impact in tight situations.
Overall, Pyramids FC’s superior passing accuracy and creativity proved to be the difference in a tightly contested match against Orlando Pirates. The precision and ingenuity displayed by Mohamed Hamdy Mahmoud Sharfedin and Mohamed Chibi were instrumental in guiding their team to a hard-fought victory, highlighting the importance of quality passing in modern football.
Defense:
Pyramids FC showcased a defensive masterclass in their thrilling encounter against Orlando Pirates, with a total of 12 interceptions made by the team. The defensive standout for Pyramids FC was Mohamed Chibi, who led the team with 2 crucial interceptions, showcasing his astute reading of the game and tactical awareness.
On the other side, Orlando Pirates put up a solid defensive performance as well, tallying a total of 10 interceptions. Nkosinathi Sibisi was a standout performer for the Pirates, leading his team with 3 interceptions, showcasing his ability to disrupt the opposition’s attacking plays effectively.
In terms of blocks, Pyramids FC demonstrated resilience at the back with 5 blocks throughout the match. Once again, Mohamed Chibi exhibited his defensive prowess with 1 crucial block, proving to be a reliable presence in thwarting the Orlando Pirates’ attacking threats.
Orlando Pirates, though trailing in blocks made, managed to secure 3 blocks in the match, with Tapelo Xoki contributing 1 important block to deny Pyramids FC from penetrating their defensive line.
Overall, the match was a defensive battle between two well-organized teams, with Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates showcasing their defensive capabilities through interceptions and blocks. The tactical discipline and defensive awareness displayed by both sides added an intriguing dimension to the game, highlighting the importance of solid defensive performances in high-stakes encounters.
Face-to-face:
In a thrilling encounter between Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates, the match was characterized by intense face-to-face duels for the ball. The leaders in this aspect were Walid El Karti from Pyramids FC and Tapelo Xoki from Orlando Pirates, both engaging in 10 fierce battles for possession throughout the game.
From the first whistle, the energy on the pitch was palpable as El Karti and Xoki showcased their determination and skill in the midfield. Their relentless pursuit of the ball set the tone for an action-packed showdown between the two sides.
As the match progressed, the intensity of the face-to-face duels only increased, with El Karti and Xoki refusing to give an inch to their opponents. Their tenacity and aggression in these battles epitomized the competitive spirit of the encounter.
Despite the physicality of the game, both players demonstrated their technical prowess and tactical awareness, making crucial interceptions and disrupting the opposition’s attacks. Their performances were instrumental in shaping the flow of the match and keeping the fans on the edge of their seats.
In the end, Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates played out a hard-fought draw, with both teams showcasing their resilience and determination. The battle between El Karti and Xoki in the midfield was a key highlight of the match, showcasing the importance of face-to-face duels in shaping the outcome of the game.
Overall, the match was a testament to the skill and spirit of competition in football, with Walid El Karti and Tapelo Xoki emerging as standout performers in the face-to-face battles for the ball. Their performances will surely be remembered as a key aspect of this thrilling encounter between Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates.
Fouls:
- Ahmed Nasser Abdel Razek El Shenawy (Pyramids FC) at 90 minute
- Deano David van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates) at 45 minute
- Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates) at 60 minute
Yellow cards:
The last five games (including this match):
- Pyramids FC –
- Orlando Pirates –
Top 5 CAF Champions League scorers:
- Fiston Kalala Mayele (4, [])
- Mohau Nkota (2, )
- Ibrahim Adel Ali Mohamed Hassan (2, )
- Joël Beya Tumetuka (1, )
- Emam Ashour Metwally Abdelghany (1, )
Next games:
- Pyramids FC will play with . , on .
- Orlando Pirates will play with . , on .
