Moroccan powerhouse AS FAR Rabat delivered a stunning upset on Saturday night, knocking out reigning champions Pyramids FC to book their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
Heading into the decisive clash in Cairo, Pyramids were widely tipped to capitalize on their home advantage at the June 30 Stadium after holding FAR Rabat to a 1-1 draw in the first leg. But the visitors had other plans, producing a clinical and composed performance that silenced the home supporters early on.
It took just ten minutes for FAR Rabat to seize control of the tie. Reda Salim finished off a lightning-fast counterattack, slicing through the Pyramids defense to hand his side a crucial early lead.
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The Moroccan side maintained their intensity after the break and doubled their advantage ten minutes into the second half. Salim, now turning creator, whipped in a dangerous corner that was emphatically headed home by Rabie El Harimat, leaving the hosts with a mountain to climb.
Although Fiston Mayele managed to pull one back for Pyramids later in the match, the effort proved insufficient as FAR Rabat held firm to seal a famous aggregate victory.
Elsewhere, another heavyweight casualty was confirmed as record champions Al Ahly SC were also sent crashing out in Cairo. Tunisian giants Espérance de Tunis edged a thrilling 3-2 victory on the night, completing a 4-2 aggregate triumph after their first-leg win in Tunis.
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The dramatic results underline a shifting balance of power in African club football, with traditional giants falling and new contenders rising at a crucial stage of the competition.
