Ahly Defender Mohamed Chibi vies for the ball during the match with Pyramids FC. Photo courtesy of Ahly Facebook page.
The game appeared to be heading for a goalless stalemate until Moroccan right-back Mohamed Chibi broke the deadlock in the 86th minute with a powerful strike inside the area, putting Pyramids FC on the verge of securing three crucial points.
However, Ahly youngster substitute Ahmed Reda had other plans, scoring a stunning equalizer in injury time with a rocket of a shot from inside the area to keep the defending champions' hopes alive in the title race.
Pyramids FC remain atop the Egyptian Premier League standings with 44 points, four ahead of second-placed Ahly, with six games remaining in the final phase.
Ahly dominated possession throughout the match, creating more scoring chances, but Pyramids FC’s determination to claim their maiden league title kept the Reds at bay.
The early stages saw Ahly come close to taking the lead. Emam Ashour, unmarked inside the box, fired over the bar just five minutes into the game.
Pyramids FC then responded with a chance of their own, as winger Karim Hafez unleashed a powerful shot in the 15th minute. Still, Ahly's veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawy produced a crucial save to deny him.
Ahly suffered a setback in the 24th minute when Moroccan left-back Yahya Attiat-Allah sustained a knee injury, forcing him off the pitch and paving the way for Karim El-Debes to take his place.
As the first half wound down, Wessam Abou Ali came close to giving Ahly the lead with a powerful header in the 44th minute, but the ball crashed off the crossbar.
In a bitter twist, Ahly coach Marcel Koller was forced to make an early change when El-Debes, who had come on as a substitute, was injured just before the break.
Koller quickly adjusted his tactics, shifting right-back Mohamed Hani to the left side and bringing midfielder Akram Tawfik onto the right wing.
Pyramids FC were dealt a major blow in the 57th minute when midfielder Mohannad Lashin was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Ahly winger Ashour.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Pyramids FC held firm.
Koller made further attacking adjustments, bringing on winger Taher Mohamed Taher and young forward Mohamed Abdallah to replace Achraf Bencharki and Hussein El Shahat, respectively, to break the deadlock.
Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurcic responded by introducing forwards Marwan Hamdi and Sodiq Awujoola in the 73rd minute, aiming to bolster his side's attack.
Jurcic made additional defensive changes after Pyramids FC’s late goal to shore up the backline, as Ahly pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages.
The Red Devils finally found their breakthrough in the dying seconds of added time when Reda struck his equalizer, sending the game into the final moments.
The referee blew the whistle immediately after the goal, securing the draw for both teams.
With this point, Pyramids FC remain firmly in control of the title race, but Ahly will be eager to capitalize on any slip-ups in the remaining matchdays.
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