Pyramids score four to beat Ceramica Cleopatra in Egyptian League

Pyramids beat Ceramica Cleopatra 4-1 in the Egyptian League, with goals from Mustafa Abdel Raouf Ziko, Nader Ben Bouali, Mohanad Lasheen and Youssef Obama.

Ceramica Cleopatra started brightly and controlled 60% of possession during the first half, compared with 40% for Pyramids. Their pressure produced an equaliser when Amr Qalawa’s pass from inside the Pyramids half found Abdullah Magdy on the right. Magdy advanced into the area before firing into the near corner.

Pyramids levelled the contest after 15 minutes. A corner was worked to Mohanad Lasheen, whose decisive pass set up Mustafa Ziko to place a right-footed shot into the top-right corner from the middle of the penalty area.

The visitors then moved ahead before the half-hour mark. Mohamed El Shaybi delivered from the right, where Walid El Karti headed the ball across goal for Nader Ben Bouali to finish from close range.

Ceramica continued to threaten. Mohamed Reda tested Ahmed El Shenawy with a powerful effort from outside the box, while Peter Korcic also saw two attempts denied by the Pyramids goalkeeper. Amr El Solia shot over, and a free-kick from Mohamed Reda struck the crossbar before going out for a goal-kick.

Pyramids extended their advantage when a corner led to a headed lay-off from Ahmed Sami. Lasheen met the ball in the centre of the box and sent a composed left-footed finish into the bottom-right corner to make it 3-1.

Ahmed El Shenawy remained prominent after the interval, saving another effort from Peter Korcic low to his right and holding a further shot in the opposite corner. He also dealt with a dangerous Ceramica corner delivered by Mohamed Reda.

Pyramids added a fourth after a long free-kick from El Shenawy was headed on by Mahmoud Abdel Hafiz Zalaaka. The ball released Youssef Obama, who went through one-on-one and found the left side of the net.

Mahmoud Saber shot wide from distance after a pass from El Shaybi, while Mustafa Fathi had an effort blocked by a defender from the right side of the six-yard box. Ceramica’s Nitz Gradisar was twice caught offside, and Pyramids’ Nader Ben Bouali was also flagged.

The match included a stoppage for treatment to Amr Qalawa and a brief water break. The referee added three minutes at the end. Ceramica made five substitutions, while Pyramids also used five changes. Players from both sides received yellow cards, including one Ceramica player booked for a foul on Obama and a Pyramids player cautioned for an infringement in the defensive half.

Ceramica finished with 65% possession in the second half, against 35% for Pyramids. At half-time, Pyramids led 2-1 and had registered six shots to Ceramica’s two.