Sublime goal gives Pyramids win in all-Egyptian Confed Cup clash

Ahram Online , Sunday 29 Dec 2019

Former Croatia coach Ante Cacic makes a winning start to his Pyramids tenure following a 2-1 victory over Masry in the CAF Confederation Cup

Pyramids
Pyramids players celebrate Dodo El-Gabbas' stunning goal (Photo: Pyramids official facebook page)

Substitute Dodo El-Gabbas scored with a stunning acrobatic effort to give Egypt's Pyramids FC a late 2-1 victory over compatriots Masry in an all-Egyptian Confederation Cup clash on Sunday.

El-Gabbas netted with his first touch after coming on to secure a precious win with seven minutes remaining as Pyramids grabbed an impressive fifth straight victory on the road.

Ghanaian striker John Antwi had put Pyramids ahead early in the second half but Burkinabe defender Saidou Simpore leveled the score via a controversial penalty.

Pyramids gave former Croatia coach Ante Cacic a winning start after he replaced Frenchman Sebastien Desabre, who was shown the door after a string of poor results in the Egyptian Premier League.

Pyramids made it three wins out of three to sit on top of Group A with nine points, three ahead of second-placed Masry. Mauritania's FC Nouadhibou and Nigeria's Enugu Rangers, who meet later in the day, have no points.

Although Masry had the better of the first half, it was Pyramids who broke the deadlock on 54 minutes when Antwi side-footed home a low cross from close range after escaping the attention of two markers.

Masry were awarded a highly controversial penalty in the 72nd minute though when Ahmed Hamed tumbled to the ground under an apparent challenge from Mohamed Farouk, with television replays showing that there was no real contact.

Simporefired a powerful spot-kick home but Masry's home crowd was stunned when El-Gabbas scored a beauty in the 83rd minute.

Chesting a long ball with his back to goal, he sent an unstoppable overhead kick from the edge of the area that flew past the motionless keeper.

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