Pyramids of Egypt thumped Rivers United of Nigeria 3-0 in their CAF Champions League group B opener played on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Rivers United, who are Nigeria’s only surviving club on the continent, were beaten by two early second-half double from Ahmed Atef at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo before the midfielder went ahead to complete his hat-trick in the 72nd minute.
Rivers United started with several regulars as they made their debut in the group stages of the continent’s biggest club competition. Finidi George stuck with the backline of Isaac Annor, Taiwo Abdulrafiu, Stephen Manyo, and Ogechukwu Ogbu, with skipper Osagie Onisodumeya between the sticks. New addition Bello Babatunde started in midfield alongside Boluwaji Sholumade.
The Pride of Rivers, like Finidi George disclosed in his pre-match talk, were compact in their approach, limiting the Egyptian side to a few chances in the opening exchanges. Goalkeeper Osagie made a couple of routine saves, then his defenders, led by Stephen Manyo, kept the defending champions, including the reigning best player based in Africa, Fiston Mayele, at bay.
However, it was a different story after the two teams returned for the second half. Manyo tried dribbling his way out of the defence, and he was robbed of possession. Although Osagie made an initial fine stop, Atef was there to bundle the opener home in the 52nd minute. Just five minutes later, some poor defending allowed Atef to head home a teasing cross from Hafez Karim to double the Egyptians’ lead.
Atef then finished off a lovely team move to complete his hat-trick 18 minutes from time. It was game, set and match at that point with the defending champions cruising to a comfortable 3-0 win to begin their title defence in style.
Following the defeat in Cairo, Rivers United will now aim to bounce back next weekend when they welcome Moroccan heavyweights RS Berkane to Uyo on matchday two.
