Congolese striker Fiston Kalala Mayele jumped high to head home an 81st minute equalizer that earned a 1-1 with APR at Amahoro Stadium on Saturday, September 14.
There may still be 90 minutes to play in Egypt, but it was not the result that APR FC wished for in the first leg at home as they now face an uphill task to eliminate Pyramids at their home turf in Cairo if they are to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stages.
The army side will be looking to win at the same stadium where they lost 6-1 at the hands of the Egyptians. Pyramids FC started the game with their usual lineup with Ahmed Elshenawi in goal, Mahmoud Marei and Ahmed Saad in defense and Ibrahim Blati Toure controlling the midfield am while Mayele was leading the attack.
On the other side, APR FC had Pavelh Ndzila between the sticks and Claude Niyomugabo captaining the defense and Sy Mamadou spearheading the attack.
The visitors nearly scored an early lead inside five minutes, but Mohamed Fathi’s free kick was wasted after Mayele was fouled inches closer to APR penalty box.APR FC took a surprising lead six minutes into the second half.
A dangerous cross from Lamine Bah caused confusion in the Pyramids defense, with Mohamed Chibi inadvertently heading the ball into his own net.
The breakthrough for Pyramids came in the 81st minute when Mayele rose highest to head the corner kick into Ndzila’s net to level the scores 1-1.
- By Times Sport.