Details of Pyramids' exit against Al-Jaish Al-Riyadi
In a decisive night of football, Egyptian club Pyramids FC officially bid farewell to African football competitions after suffering a painful 2-1 defeat at home to Moroccan side FAR Rabat. This crucial match took place at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, as part of the second leg of the quarter-finals of the African Champions League. This result ended the Egyptian team's hopes of continuing their continental campaign this season.
The first leg between the two teams in Morocco ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving both sides evenly matched ahead of the return leg. With the visitors securing a victory in the second leg, Moroccan side FAR Rabat clinched their place in the semi-finals with a 3-2 aggregate score, eliminating Pyramids FC from the quarter-finals and leaving their fans and management deeply disappointed.
Historical context: Pyramids' ambition and the long-standing tradition of the Royal Army
This elimination represents a significant blow to the Pyramids FC project, which was founded under its new name in 2018 and witnessed massive financial investments aimed at breaking the dominance of the traditional powerhouses in Egypt and Africa. Despite the team's previous success in reaching advanced stages of continental tournaments, such as the final of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2020, winning their first continental title remains an elusive goal for the Sky Blues.
On the other hand, the Moroccan Royal Army team boasts a rich and distinguished history in Africa. It was the first Moroccan team to win the African Cup of Champions Clubs (now the CAF Champions League) in 1985, in addition to winning the CAF Confederation Cup in 2005. These recent victories confirm the return of the Moroccan "leader" to its rightful place among the giants of African football, reflecting the continuous development and high level of competition among clubs in the Moroccan national championship (Botola Pro).
Regional and local impact of the match
Regionally, this match reflects the enduring historical rivalry and fierce competition between North African clubs, particularly between Egyptian and Moroccan football, which has always been characterized by tactical prowess and high skill. Raja Casablanca's victory strengthens the chances of Moroccan clubs dominating continental titles this season, while forcing Egyptian clubs, with the exception of Al Ahly and Zamalek, to reassess their strategies to cope with the pressure in the knockout stages.
Upcoming matches in the semi-finals
After successfully overcoming Pyramids FC, Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat now awaits a tough challenge in the semi-finals. They will face the winner of the highly anticipated match between fellow Moroccan club RS Berkane and Sudanese side Al-Hilal. Should RS Berkane advance, the tournament will feature an all-Moroccan derby in the semi-finals, guaranteeing a Moroccan presence in the final and further fueling the excitement and passion of Arab and African fans following the competition.
