Coach Ehab Galal, who has agreed to take over at the Egyptian national team, now risks leaving the big-spending club on a low note after they struggled to break down five-time Champions League winners Mazembe at Cairo's Air Defence Stadium.

Pyramids had the lion's share of chances and were unlucky not to go ahead on several occasions.

Their best first-half chance fell to wing-back Omar Gaber, who shot straight at the keeper when well-positioned to score following an exchange of passes with South African striker Fagrie Lakay.

A header from winger Ibrahim Adel also went just wide on the stroke of halftime before Pyramids eased off in the second half as Mazembe kept them at their bay with their resolute defending.

Pyramids could have still snatched a win seven minutes from time when a deflected shot from central defender Ahmed Sami struck the bar.

The team will now face a tough battle to reach the Confederation Cup semis as they need to beat Mazembe at their Lubumbashi fortress in the second leg next Sunday.

Pyramids are hoping to win Africa's secondary club competition on the third attempt, having reached the final in 2020 and the semi-final last year.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)