CAF Champions League: Pyramids FC roll over APR to advance

Defending African club champions Pyramids FC of Egypt advanced to the final round of CAF Champions League qualifying stages without issue on Sunday with a dominant 3-0 second leg victory over Rwandan champions APR FC.

After securing a 2-0 first leg victory in Rwanda, Pyramids finished the job with ease in Cairo with little resistance. Mostafa Ziko opened the scoring close to halftime before Ahmed Atef and Mohamed Hamdi scored in quick succession shortly after the hour mark.

Pyramids will now face off against Ethiopian Insurance for a place in the group stage, another “David vs. Goliath” clash where the Egyptian big spenders are heavy favorites to progress.

Also of note, Congolese club Saint-Éloi Lupopo advanced to the final qualifying round on Saturday after holding Sudan’s Al Merrikh to a 0-0 second leg draw in Benghazi, Libya. After a 1-0 first leg victory in Lubumbashi, Les Cheminots finished the job with a strong defensive performance and will face South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, semifinalists in this competition last season.

What’s next for CAF Champions League holders Pyramids FC?

Before they continue their CAF Champions League duties, Pyramids will face off with CAF Confederation Cup champions RS Berkane in the 2025 CAF Super Cup which is scheduled for October 18 after the upcoming FIFA window. There is little time to rest for the African champions, who represented the continent well by stunning Saudi giants Al Ahli in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in September.