Pyramids win Egypt Cup with 2-1 victory over ZED
Pyramids win Egypt Cup after beating ZED 2-1 in the final, securing the club’s second domestic cup title and confirming their edge in recent finals.
Pyramids win Egypt Cup in Cairo with a controlled performance that produced a 2-1 scoreline over ZED in Sunday’s final. The victory, sealed after goals from Karim Hafez and Veston Mayele, gives the club its second Egypt Cup trophy and marks another decisive result in encounters between the two sides. Pyramids maintained composure despite a late red card and a stoppage-time reply from ZED to hold on until the final whistle.
Early breakthrough at the interval
Pyramids took the lead on the stroke of half-time when left-back Karim Hafez converted from close range to make it 1-0. The goal arrived in the 45th minute and gave Pyramids a psychological advantage as the teams went into the break. That timing allowed Pyramids to regroup and dictate the tempo in the opening stages of the second half.
Hafez’s strike reflected Pyramids’ emphasis on wide play and set-piece threat, patterns that persisted after the restart. The opener forced ZED to adjust their shape and chase the game, creating space that Pyramids were ready to exploit.
Second-half cushion from Veston Mayele
Shortly after the hour mark, Pyramids doubled their lead through Congolese forward Veston Mayele, who finished a sustained move in the 57th minute. The second goal relieved immediate pressure on Pyramids and shifted the dynamics of the match in their favour. Mayele’s contribution underlined the impact of the club’s attacking reinforcements during decisive fixtures.
After the second goal, Pyramids balanced attacking intent with a more conservative defensive shape, seeking to control possession and limit ZED’s transition opportunities. The plan largely succeeded until late match incidents reopened the contest.
Disciplinary turning point and ZED’s late reaction
The game turned tense in the closing stages when Pyramids’ midfielder Mostafa Ziko received a red card in the 82nd minute and was sent off. Ziko’s dismissal reduced Pyramids to ten men and handed ZED a numerical advantage to exploit in the final minutes. ZED pressed with urgency, searching for a route back into the match.
ZED managed to pull a goal back deep into stoppage time when Rafat Khalil capitalised on the late pressure to make it 2-1 in the 92nd minute. Despite the late strike and sustained attacking pressure thereafter, ZED were unable to find an equaliser, and Pyramids held on to claim the cup.
Cup history and rivalry with ZED
This triumph represents Pyramids’ second Egypt Cup title, adding to their previous success in the 2023–24 season when they also defeated ZED in the final. The back-to-back final victories against the same opponent have begun to frame a competitive rivalry between the two clubs at the domestic level. For Pyramids, the repeat win strengthens the club’s record in high-stakes cup fixtures.
ZED, meanwhile, will reflect on consecutive final defeats to the same rival and look to address the marginal factors that separated the teams on both occasions. The finals have highlighted Pyramids’ capacity to perform in decisive matches and ZED’s resilience in pushing contests to the final moments.
Tactical observations and squad impact
Pyramids combined structured build-up play with targeted use of wide areas, which produced clear chances and, ultimately, the two goals that decided the final. The team’s ability to manage game phases, absorb pressure, and then strike in transition proved decisive. Even after playing with ten men, Pyramids showed defensive organisation that allowed them to protect the lead.
Squad depth and match management will be credited within the club as factors in securing the trophy, while ZED’s late momentum underscores their capacity to threaten even when behind. Both sides will likely draw tactical lessons from the final as they prepare for the remainder of the domestic campaign and potential continental commitments.
What the trophy means for Pyramids going forward
The Egypt Cup victory provides immediate silverware and tangible evidence of progress for Pyramids as they pursue sustained success domestically. The title also carries sporting and reputational benefits, reinforcing the club’s status among the country’s competitive sides. For players and staff, the win will be used as a platform to build confidence and momentum.
Pyramids will now turn attention to upcoming fixtures and the broader objectives of the season, with the cup success offering a morale boost. The club’s management and supporters will see the trophy as validation of investment and planning, while opponents will view Pyramids as a persistent contender in knockout competitions.
Pyramids emerged from a tightly contested final with a second Egypt Cup to their name, securing a 2-1 win over ZED thanks to goals from Karim Hafez and Veston Mayele and holding firm after a late rally.
