Pyramids FC held by Wadi Degla in thrilling League opener

Pyramids FC began their 2025-26 Egyptian Premier League campaign on Friday with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Wadi Degla at Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo.

The reigning CAF Champions League winners arrived with high hopes but were tested early when midfielder Walid El Karti received a red card in the 17th minute after a VAR review.

The decision left Pyramids’ players visibly upset, and tensions rose again in the 63rd minute when Degla’s Mahmoud Talaat was also sent off. As the clock ticked down, Wadi Degla pressed for a winner and appealed for a penalty in the 85th minute following a handball by Marawan Hamdy. Referee Abdelaziz El-Sayed consulted VAR official Mohamed Abbas but waved play on.

Pyramids played without key men Mohamed El-Sheeb and Mohamed Hamdy through suspension, while injuries sidelined Mahmoud Abdel-Hafiz Zalaqa, Ramadan Sobhi, and Abdel-Rahman Gouda.

Under Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic, Pyramids took one point from the heated opener, as did newly promoted Degla, led by Mohamed El Sheikh.