Pyramids lose chance for another trophy

New African champions Pyramids missed out on a second piece of silverware in the space of four days as they were beaten in the Egyptian Cup final on Thursday.

Zamalek edged them 8-7 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the final at the Cairo Stadium.

Pyramids were hoping to add another trophy after edging Mamelodi Sundowns to take the African Champions League on Sunday and went into a 24th-minute lead after Ahmed Atef headed home across from Walid El Karti.

Zamalek, hoping to put some gloss on a disappointing season, equalised in the 78th minute as substitute Nasser Mansi got on the side of the defence to latch onto a long pass and score.

The match went into extra time and then to penalties where Pyramid’s Mostafa Fathi hit the crossbar with their second kick.

It was 4-4 when Mostafa Shalaby stepped up to take Zamalek’s fifth and final kick to win the cup but missed.

The shootout then moved to sudden death with Champions League hero Ahmed Samy hitting the crossbar to allow Zamalek another chance to win the tie, but again they spurned the opportunity as Mansi missed.

But when Pyramids’ captain Amr Gabr missed with the 19th kick of the shootout, Mahmoud Shikabala made it third time lucky for Zamalek.

It was Zamalek’s 29th success in the cup, more than a century after their first in 1922.