Ahly keeper Mohamed El-Shennawi committed a fatal mistake in the dying minutes of his side's game against Pyramids FC, allowing Eric Traore to score in his empty net on Thursday.

The international keeper failed to control the ball after a pass from defender Rami Rabia, allowing the Burkinabe forward to score in an empty net.

The defending champions were punished for their lack of cutting edge, especially in the second half, which saw the visitors play with 10 players after the dismissal of defensive midfielder Nabil 'Dunga' Emad just before the break.   

Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring for Pyramids FC in the 47th minute, but substitute winger Hussein El-Shahat levelled the score three minutes later.

Mahmoud 'Kahraba' Abdel-Moneim added the second for Ahly nine minutes from time, while Eric Traore scored the equaliser in stoppage time.

Fullback Ali Maaloul wasted a penalty two minutes after the hour mark.   

Ahly started the game in style, with striker Mohamed Sherif wasting an easy goal-scoring chance in the second minute of the game.

The international striker received a nice pass from Malian defender Aliou Dieng, but his close-range effort went over the bar.

Pyramids FC regained possession after the first 15 minutes but without posing a real threat on Mohamed El-Shennawi.

The first half saw many harsh interventions from Pyramids players, with Dunga being sent-off after a harsh tackle against Ahly midfielder Hamdi Fathi.

Four goals

After the tight and nervy half, the second period was a whole different affair.

Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane introduced winger Hussein El-Shahat at the expense of Fathi in order to put more pressure on a 10-man Pyramids side.

But the visitors stunned Ahly with an early goal two minutes after the break when Ramadan Sobhi eased past two challengers before clearing Ibrahim Adel, whose shot went to the bottom of net.

Ahly responded quickly with El-Shahat following a rebounded ball from Ahmed El-Shennawi to fire home.

The Red Devils had the chance to make it 2-1, but spot-kick specialist Ali Maaloul wasted a penalty in the 62^nd minute after his shot hit the post.

Ahly players pulled on the offense in order to add the second, squandering many goal-scoring chances.

Substitute winger Mahmoud' Kahraba' Abdel-Moneim added the second with nine minutes remaining following a flicked header from Badr Banoun with a nice volley.

Salah Mohsen and Mohamed Sherif squandered two golden chances in the dying minutes, with Mohsen's close-range effort going wide while Sherif's shot crashed off the bar.

With seeming content with the result, Mohamed El-Shennawi made a fatal mistake giving Traore the chance to score the equaliser.

Ahly are now third on the league table with 42 points, 19 behind leaders Zamalek, with the defending champions having seven matches in hand.