Pyramids' Winger Ahmed Atef celebrates with his teammate during the match against Rivers United. Photo courtesy of Pyramids Facebook page.
Winger Ahmed Atef, 22, was the star of the show, netting a hat-trick to lead the Egyptian side to the victory.
RS Berkane, Pyramids' toughest competitor in Group A, also won 3-0 against Zambia’s Power Dynamos on Saturday.
The Egyptian powerhouse dominated possession from the start but struggled to break down Rivers United’s defense early on.
The hosts came close to an opening goal in the 20th minute when Abdel-Rahman Magdy sent a shot over the bar.
In the second half, Atef broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute. Atef slotted the ball into the empty net after goalkeeper Onisodumeya rebounded a powerful shot by Mahmoud Zalaka.
Five minutes later, Atef doubled his tally, heading home a wide cross from Karim Hafez to give Pyramids a commanding lead.
Atef completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, firing a powerful strike from inside the box to seal a 3-0 victory for the Blues.
Pyramids FC’s next CAF Champions League fixture will be against Power Dynamos on Saturday, 29 November, in the second round of Group A matches.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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