Insurance Plays Spoiler as Ethiopian Insurance Halts Pyramids' Streak in Cairo

Match Overview

In Cairo, Ethiopian Insurance held Pyramids FC to a 1-1 draw in the CAF Champions League Round of 32 first leg. The game was played at Defense Stadium after CAF did not approve the Ethiopian venue, forcing the shift to Pyramids’ home grounds and timing adjustments linked to the club’s Super Cup commitments. The result keeps the tie open ahead of the return leg scheduled for the same venue later in the week.

The visitors struck first, with Feston Maiyili finding the net in the 12th minute to give Pyramids the lead. Despite their early advantage, the Egyptian side could not press home a second goal as the Ethiopian defense steadied and created counter chances of their own.

The stalemate remained in place until the 83rd minute, when Berok Bilatsio levelled for Ethiopian Insurance, rescuing a draw from a match that otherwise tilted toward the home side in the opening exchanges. The late equalizer reshaped the outlook of the tie as both teams prepared for the return leg.

Before the equalizer, Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurcic made several changes from the 62nd minute, introducing Ahmed Atif and Mustafa Abdo to inject energy, while the home team’s rhythm waned under a well-organized Ethiopian defense. Mustafa Fathi sustained an early injury in the first half and was substituted, a development that influenced the hosts’ attacking rhythm for the remainder of the match.

Historically, Pyramids arrive into this competition having claimed the CAF Champions League title in the previous season after defeating Mamelodi Sundowns, and they recently secured a CAF Super Cup triumph in Saudi Arabia against Al Ahli Saudi, as part of a broader run of domestic and continental successes. Ethiopian Insurance entered the tie aiming to upset the expectations of the Egyptian side and to push for a favorable result in the away leg.

The match was described as a competitive affair with moments of quality from both teams, though the decisive actions came late in the second half. As the teams prepare for the return leg, Pyramids will look to leverage their home advantage again, while Ethiopian Insurance will search for another opportunity to impose their game plan on the tie.

Injury Update: Mustafa Fathi’s early removal due to a lower leg issue raised concerns for Pyramids ahead of proximal fixtures, with medical staff monitoring the injury for potential impact on upcoming matches.

Outlook: The draw leaves the tie finely balanced; the second leg will determine which side advances to the group stage. Pyramids’ extensive experience in continental competition gives them a path forward, but Ethiopian Insurance has demonstrated it can contend with high-level opposition in a one-off scenario.

Final thought: If football were a contract, this match would be the fine print—full of clauses and late riders. The insurance policy might just be the extra time, but for now, both teams share the spoils and a shot at progress in the return leg.

Punchline time: When life hands you an 83rd-minute equalizer, you don’t just sigh—you sign the clause that guarantees a dramatic finish. And if the stadium tells you to relocate, Netflix called—they want this kind of suspense for a weekend binge.