Pyramids FC reclaimed top spot in the Egyptian Premier League after securing a convincing 4-1 victory over Ceramica Cleopatra at the 30 June Stadium in matchday six of the campaign.
The early stages of the contest gave little indication of the eventual outcome, as Ceramica stunned the hosts with an early opener. However, Pyramids quickly asserted control and overturned the deficit through lethal clinical finishing and exploiting spaces behind their opponents’ defensive line.
Abdallah Magdy handed Ceramica the lead in the fifth minute, but Mostafa Ziko leveled for Pyramids with a spectacular overhead kick in the 14th minute. Ahmed Nadhir Benbouali then turned the game around with a second goal in the 20th minute, before Mohanad Lasheen rounded off a dominant first-half display to make it 3-1 in the 37th minute.
In the second half, manager Rulani Mokwena made several tactical substitutions to maintain the team’s momentum. Substitute Youssef Obama added the fourth goal in the 77th minute following a setup by Mahmoud Zalaka, while Ceramica played out the closing stages with ten men after Justice Arthur received his marching orders in the 86th minute.
The victory lifted Pyramids FC to 18 points, maintaining a flawless record of six wins from six matches to move back ahead of Al Ahly (16 points), with Zamalek sitting third on 13 points. Ceramica Cleopatra remained on 12 points after suffering their second defeat of the season.
Pyramids have little time to dwell on the result as they prepare to travel to South Sudan to face Merreikh Bentiu on Friday in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round, before returning to domestic action against Tala’ea El Gaish. Ceramica, meanwhile, benefit from an extended break to address their defensive lapses before taking on Petrojet in matchday seven.
