Walid El Karti and Mahmoud Saber give Pyramids FC advantage in Nairobi

Pyramids FC began their CAF Champions League campaign with a valuable 2-0 away win against Gor Mahia in Nairobi, despite repeated interruptions to the television broadcast. Walid El Karti and Mahmoud Saber scored at Nyayo National Stadium to give the Egyptian side a commanding advantage from the first leg of the preliminary-round tie.

The result puts Pyramids FC in a strong position to reach the second round, with the return match to be played at Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Saturday, 12 September.

Gor Mahia made the brighter start and nearly took the lead in the second minute. One of the home side’s players struck a powerful effort from outside the penalty area, but Ahmed Samy produced an outstanding intervention to clear the ball off the goal line.

The television coverage disappeared immediately after that chance. During the interruption, Pyramids FC moved in front when Walid El Karti followed up after Mostafa Fathi’s shot had been saved by the Gor Mahia goalkeeper.

When the broadcast returned, it showed Pyramids FC enjoying the better of the contest. The visitors were then forced into a change in the 20th minute when Mahmoud Marei suffered a head injury.

Mahmoud Marei was replaced by Eyad El Askalany, but the injury required more than a substitution. Marei was taken directly to a hospital during the match for head scans and medical examinations. He later received treatment after the injury required eight stitches.

Pyramids FC continued to threaten and came close to doubling their lead in the following minute. Mostafa Fathi made an impressive run before seeing his effort saved by the Gor Mahia goalkeeper, who kept the Kenyan side within reach of an equaliser.

The disruption returned in the 36th minute, with the television signal again cutting out for a lengthy period. Much of the match was consequently unavailable to viewers, although the interruptions did not prevent Pyramids FC from maintaining their advantage.

Mahmoud Saber eventually added a second goal in the 50th minute, during another period without television coverage. The midfielder found space on the edge of the penalty area and sent a powerful shot into the net to strengthen Pyramids FC’s position.

The broadcast remained unavailable until the 90th minute, when it returned briefly before the final whistle. By then, Pyramids FC had secured a 2-0 victory and an important away result.

The Egyptian club must now protect that lead in the second leg in Cairo if they are to complete their progress to the second round of the CAF Champions League. Gor Mahia will need to overturn a two-goal deficit after failing to convert their early opportunity and being unable to respond to Pyramids FC’s decisive finishing.

The match was played on Sunday evening at Nyayo National Stadium in the Kenyan capital, with Pyramids FC’s success providing an ideal start to their African campaign despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the broadcast.

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