Pyramids FC was ruthless against APR on Friday, September 29, as they walloped the Rwandan Champions 6-1 in the second round second leg game of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League.
Four goals by Mostafa Fathi and one each from Walid El Karti and Mohammed Chibi at the June 30 Stadium helped Pyramids to a big win as they annihilated APR.
The game started on a high intensity as both teams wanted to control and pin the other into their own half.
Pyramids FC were more tactical as they decided to let APR do all the running and catch them on the break.
There was no clear cut chance in the game until the 18th minute when, out of nothing, Fathi netted what could be a goal of the year contender in the CAF Champions League.
Fathi collected a ball outside the APR vital area and in a non-drop style, hit a superb volley to the top right corner of the net for the opener.
Pyramids started putting more men forward with Ramadan Sobhi being handed the playmaker duties as he remained the key distributor of the ball to the attackers.
The pressure Pyramids put on APR yielded another goal in the 21st minute as Walid El Karti hit a long range strike from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila had no chance.
APR had the chance to reduce the deficit in the 30th minute after Innocent Nshuti was heckled at the edge of the penalty box by skipper Ali Gaber.
Skipper Omborenga Fitina stepped up and curled an excellent free kick which was wonderfully saved by El Shenaawy.
APR decided to play more compact by doing man marking. There were no chances in the final 10 minutes of the first half as referee Aziz Bouh from Mauritania blew his whistle for half time with Pyramids leading 2-0.
After recess, it was all Pyramids FC as they outplayed APR in every department of the field.
Coach Thierry Froger looked clueless as Pyramids bombarded the APR penalty area with a series of attacks.
He brought on Clement Niyigena to strengthen his defense but Pyramids continued putting the APR defenders under incessant pressure.
Fathi made it 3-0 for Pyramids with a nice finish in the 56th minute before completing his hat trick with another fine effort in the 61st minute to make it 4-0.
A needless tackle from Salomon Bidjeme inside the penalty box on Fathi resulted in a penalty in the 70th minute. Ramadan Sobhi sent Ndzila the wrong way but his spot kick hit the post. The APR defenders were caught ball watching as Mohamed Chibi pounced on the second ball and slotted home to make it 5-0.
Mostafa Fathi who had been a thorn in the flesh of the APR players throughout the game scored the sixth goal for his side and his personal fourth on the day in the 86th minute.
Pyramids skipper Ali Gaber handed a strike from Christian Ishimwe inside the 18 yard box in the 86th minute and Victor Mbaoma stepped up and dispatched the resulting penalty beautifully to give his side a consolation.
The Egyptians qualified to the next stage of the competition on a 6-1 aggregate.