Atef Treble Sinks Rivers United

Pyramids FC opened their CAF Champions League group-stage campaign with a confident 3-0 win over Rivers United at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Saturday. The defending champions were led by 22-year-old winger Ahmed Atef, who scored all three goals in a dominant second-half display.

Pyramids controlled possession early but found Rivers United’s defence difficult to break down, with Abdel-Rahman Magdy coming close in the 20th minute when his effort went over the bar. The breakthrough finally came in the 52nd minute as Atef tapped into an empty net after goalkeeper Onisodumeya pushed out a shot from Mahmoud Zalaka. He made it 2-0 five minutes later, heading in a cross from Karim Hafez.

Atef completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute with a powerful strike from inside the box, sealing the victory. Pyramids face Power Dynamos next on 29 November.