Pyramids FC won the CAF Super Cup for the very first time, getting the better of RS Berkane 1–0 on a quiet Saturday night at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo. A second-half goal from Congolese star Fiston Mayele was all it took for the Egyptians to lift the trophy, a fitting outcome given Mayele’s knack for rising to the big occasion.
The first 45 minutes were a bit slow, with both teams looking like they’d rather not take any risks, so they ended up not really creating many chances and heading into the break at zero-zero. Not exactly a thrilling start as both teams seemed to be playing it pretty safe, knowing how much was at stake.
And that’s how the first half comes to an end: Pyramids 0, RS Berkane 0.
Early on, RS Berkane seemed to be getting a lot of the ball. They were playing pretty well in the opening 30 minutes or so, but their attack looked a bit flat. They had six attempts on goal, but only one of those was really remotely threatening and their left side was holding strong defensively, which was good to see. Pyramids’ right side was doing a similar job, so the game was staying pretty even.
A decisive second half
After the break, Pyramids started to get things going. They were playing with a bit more confidence and flair and by the 55-minute mark they were definitely on top. And then, at last, the breakthrough came in the 75 minute with Fiston Mayele pouncing on a chance to slot a right-foot shot into the bottom corner after being picked out by Mohamed Chibi.
Coach Mouin Chaabani threw on a couple of substitution for Berkane around the 82-minute mark, as they tried to get back into it, and they nearly did manage to grab a last gasp equaliser in the 85 minute but in the end, its Pyramids who were celebrating a hard-fought 1–0 win and their very first CAF Super Cup title.
It was one of those solid, no-nonsense performances from Pyramids. Berkane’s organisation was spot on, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough to knock Pyramids FC, who became the third Egyptian team to win the CAF Super Cup.
