CAF Champions League
Hattrick Against Rivers United Earns Ahmed Atef El Sayed CAF Interclub Player of the Week
Pyramids FC striker Ahmed Atef El Sayed has been named CAF Interclub Player of the Week after his sensational hat-trick powered the defending champions to a commanding 3–0 victory over Rivers United in their CAF Champions’ League Group A opener in Cairo.
The 26-year-old forward produced one of the standout performances of Matchday 1, showcasing lethal finishing, intelligent movement and big-match temperament as Pyramids began their title defence in emphatic fashion.
Rivers United had held firm in a tight and tactical first half, but Atef broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, reacting quickest in a crowded six-yard box to steer home from close range. The goal settled Pyramids and shifted momentum decisively in favour of the North Africans.
Just five minutes later, Atef struck again—this time with the pick of his goals. Rising above the defence, he powered a towering header into the top-right corner from Karim Hafez’s precise cross, underlining his growing pedigree as one of the continent’s most dangerous penalty-box strikers.
He completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, guiding a composed right-footed strike into the bottom-left corner after an incisive pass from Mohamed Reda. Each goal demonstrated a different dimension of his finishing ability and highlighted why he has become indispensable to Pyramids’ attacking blueprint.
With Atef leading the charge, Pyramids controlled the final stages of the match, securing a win that places them level on points with Morocco’s RS Berkane at the top of Group A.
His heroics not only delivered a perfect start for the Egyptian champions but also reaffirmed his rising status among Africa’s elite attackers. CAF’s recognition of his performance underscores his influence as Pyramids seek to become the first club in over a decade to win back-to-back Champions League titles.
Eyes on the Next Challenge
Atef will once again be central to Pyramids’ ambitions when they travel to face Power Dynamos in their second Group A fixture on Saturday. With his confidence soaring and his form peaking at the right moment, the striker is expected to play a decisive role as the champions continue their pursuit of continental history.
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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will conduct the quarter-final draws for the 2025/26 editions of its two flagship interclub competitions — the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup — on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo.
The CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final draw is scheduled to begin at 13:00 Cairo time (11:00 GMT), followed by the CAF Champions League quarter-final draw at 14:00 Cairo time (12:00 GMT).
The ceremonies will be broadcast live on CAF’s official YouTube platform, CAF TV, allowing fans across the continent and beyond to follow proceedings in real time.
Road to the Finals Takes Shape
The draws will determine not only the quarter-final pairings but also the pathway to the finals in both competitions, effectively mapping out the remaining knockout journey for Africa’s elite clubs.
With the group stages concluded, the quarter-finals mark the beginning of direct elimination football — a phase traditionally defined by tactical discipline, squad depth and mental resilience. Clubs will be keenly watching the draw to gauge potential heavyweight clashes or favourable routes to the semi-finals.
In the Champions League, former title holders and emerging contenders alike will be hoping to avoid early confrontations against continental heavyweights. Similarly, in the Confederation Cup, where competitive balance has grown in recent seasons, the draw could produce intriguing North-South or West-East showdowns.
Strategic Importance for Clubs
Beyond sporting prestige, progression to the latter stages of CAF competitions carries significant financial incentives, enhanced continental ranking points and increased global visibility. With African club football enjoying expanded broadcast reach and commercial partnerships, success in these tournaments has become both a sporting and economic objective.
Hosting the draws at the Egyptian FA headquarters in Cairo reinforces the city’s status as a nerve centre of African football administration, as clubs await clarity on their next assignments in what promises to be a decisive knockout phase of the 2025/26 campaign.
All eyes will now turn to Cairo as Africa’s road to continental glory becomes clearer.
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Moroccan side RS Berkane delivered a commanding 3–0 victory over Rivers United FC to book their place in the knockout stages of the competition.
Berkane imposed themselves early and broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Youssef Mehri fired into the bottom corner following a swift attacking move.
The hosts doubled their lead seven minutes later as Paul Valère Bassène finished clinically after being played through by Mounir Chouiar, leaving Rivers United with a mountain to climb before halftime.
The contest was effectively settled eight minutes into the second half. Bassène grabbed his second of the night in the 53rd minute, converting from close range after a corner to put the result beyond doubt.
Berkane maintained control for the remainder of the match, limiting Rivers United to speculative efforts and half-chances before comfortably seeing out the encounter.
With the results, Pyramids FC finish top of Group A, while RS Berkane join them in the knockout phase as runners-up, bringing the group stage to a decisive conclusion.
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Reigning CAF Champions League holders Pyramids FC signed off their group-stage campaign in style with a 3–1 victory over Power Dynamos FC on Matchday 6 to secure top spot in Group A.
The Egyptian side made a bright start and went ahead in the 16th minute when Mostafa Ziko rose highest to head home from a corner, underlining their early dominance.
Power Dynamos responded almost immediately. Frederick Mulambia restored parity a minute later, finishing from close range after a well-worked cross to briefly unsettle the hosts.
However, Pyramids regained control midway through the first half. In the 33rd minute, Youssef Obama reacted quickest inside the penalty area to restore the lead, sending the defending champions into the break 2–1 ahead.
The decisive moment came in the 59th minute when Ewerton unleashed a superb right-footed strike from outside the box that nestled into the bottom corner, extending the advantage to 3–1.
Despite late substitutions and sporadic pressure from the visitors, Pyramids managed proceedings comfortably to claim all three points and finish the group stage at the summit.
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