Ali Gabr scored the winner on 29 minutes, firing home on the rebound after a header from his central defence partner Ahmed Sami was parried by the keeper into his path following a brilliant first-time cross from veteran playmaker Abdallah El-Said.

But for all the dominance of Pyramids, they failed to build on their lead and were forced to endure some nerve-jangling moments towards the end as Azam needed just one goal to advance following a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Confederation Cup second preliminary round.

Burkinabe winger Eric Traore wasted Pyramids' first chance when he headed against the bar after 10 minutes following an inviting cross from El-Said.

Egyptian international El-Said also missed the chance to put the result beyond doubt on the hour mark when he fired high over with the goal at his mercy.

"The 1-0 result kept us worried until the end but we produced a good display. We could have just converted any of our chances to settle the tie early," Pyramids coach Ihab Galal said after the game.

Pyramids, who are making their third Confederation Cup appearance, joined fellow Egyptian side Masry in the next round after the latter also defeated Uganda's Revenue Authority 1-0 on aggregate.

Both sides will meet two of the losing teams from the Champions League second preliminary round for a place in the Confederation Cup group stage.

The Emirati-owned Pyramids reached the final in 2020 but lost to Morocco's RS Berkane 1-0. They were the victims of another Moroccan outfit a year later, slumping to a shootout defeat by Raja in the semi-final following a 0-0 aggregate draw.

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