Pyramids FC keep perfect Egyptian Premier League record after El Gouna own goal

Pyramids FC maintained their 100% start to the Egyptian Premier League season when an own goal from El Gouna FC defender Khaled Seddik secured a 1-0 victory at Air Defence Stadium.

The result gives Pyramids FC 12 points from four matches and keeps them at the top of the table. They have also yet to concede a goal this season. El Gouna FC remain on two points in 16th place.

Seddik turned the ball into his own net in the 56th minute after Nasser Maher delivered a cross from the left. The El Gouna FC defender attempted to return the ball to goalkeeper Islam Risha, but his intervention instead sent it into the bottom-left corner.

The visitors had created several opportunities before taking the lead. Ahmed Atef “Kaka” tested Risha with a powerful effort in the seventh minute, but the El Gouna FC goalkeeper made the save.

Mustafa Fathi then produced a fine individual move in the 18th minute before shooting narrowly wide. Pyramids FC continued to press, and Ahmed Abdel Kader appeared to have found a route to goal in the 40th minute, only for an El Gouna FC defender to clear his effort off the line.

Risha was again called into action two minutes after half-time, pushing another Ahmed Atef shot from inside the penalty area behind for a corner. At the other end, Seddik cleared the ball off the line in the 50th minute after Abdel Kader had missed a clear chance to score.

The match also marked the return of Pyramids FC full-back Mohamed Hamdy, who made his first appearance for the club in 248 days after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He came on in the 63rd minute.

Nadhir Benbouali made his Pyramids FC debut at the same time. He later appeared to score his first goal for the club in the 72nd minute, after Nasser Maher had missed a penalty. However, the goal was disallowed by the video assistant referee because Benbouali had entered the penalty area before the spot-kick was taken.

Mustafa Abdel Raouf, known as “Zico”, also made his first appearance of the season when he replaced Ahmed Abdel Kader in the 75th minute. He later had a second Pyramids FC goal ruled out after the referee adjudged that Benbouali had committed a foul.

Pyramids FC manager Rhulani Mokwena made several changes to his starting line-up. Ahmed Abdel Kader was selected from the beginning instead of Youssef Obama, while Nasser Maher came into the side in place of the injured Oda Fakhouri.

Islam Risha’s penalty save was the fifth in the Egyptian Premier League this season.

Pyramids FC will face Eastern Company Enppi in their next league match on Wednesday, while El Gouna FC will play Montakhab El Suez Petrojet on the same day in the fifth round.