Pyramids FC seal Intercontinental Cup second-round place after Auckland City win

Pyramids FC secured their place in the second round of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory over Auckland City on Sunday.

The Egyptian side, winners of the CAF Champions League, produced a dominant display to ensure their progression in the competition.

Goals from Walid El Karti, Marwan Hamdy and Mostafa Ziko sealed the win for Pyramids, who now set their sights on a high-profile clash against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Jeddah in the next stage of the tournament.

The opening breakthrough came through El Karti, whose composure in front of goal set the tone for the match.

Hamdy doubled the advantage with a well-taken finish, before Ziko put the result beyond doubt late on, ensuring there was no way back for the New Zealand champions.

The victory highlighted both the attacking depth and defensive organisation of the Egyptian side, who never allowed Auckland City a foothold in the contest.

Progression sets up an enticing encounter on 23 September against Al Ahli Jeddah, the reigning Asian champions.

The Saudi club boasts a star-studded line-up featuring several of Africa’s biggest names, including Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié, Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez and Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.

For Pyramids, the fixture represents both a formidable challenge and a chance to measure themselves against one of the most high-profile sides in the competition.

The Intercontinental Cup, newly restructured to bring together champions from across FIFA’s confederations, offers a unique stage for clubs like Pyramids FC to test their quality beyond continental boundaries.

For the Egyptian side, this opportunity comes at a pivotal moment in their rise within African football. Having already established themselves at the top level in the CAF Champions League, their focus now shifts to proving they can compete on the global stage.

Should Pyramids overcome Al Ahli Jeddah, they will advance to face either Cruz Azul of Mexico, winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup, or the eventual champions of South America’s Copa Libertadores.

That match will serve as the decisive step towards reaching the Intercontinental Cup final, a prospect that would mark a historic milestone for the Egyptian outfit.

Coach and players alike will be aware of the magnitude of the task ahead. Al Ahli Jeddah not only carry individual brilliance but also a wealth of experience in international competitions.

Yet, Pyramids’ emphatic dismissal of Auckland City demonstrates that they are capable of rising to the occasion.

With El Karti, Hamdy and Ziko already in scoring form, the squad will look to continue building momentum heading into their next fixture.

The 3-0 win also underlines the broader ambition of Egyptian football on the world stage. Pyramids FC’s success offers an opportunity to showcase the talent emerging from Africa, with their qualification reinforcing the growing strength and competitiveness of clubs from the continent.

For now, the focus remains firmly on 23 September. A victory over Al Ahli Jeddah would not only extend Pyramids’ journey in the tournament but also place them within touching distance of a landmark appearance in the Intercontinental Cup final.