Ahmed Atef (Katat) scored a hat-trick to lead Egyptian Pyramids to a 3-0 victory over its Nigerian guest Rivers United in the group stage of the African Champions League, while RS Berkane won with the same score over Power Dynamos coming from Zambia in Morocco, on Saturday.Defending champions Pyramids FC and Confederation Cup winners Nahdat Berkane shared the lead in Group A after the opening group stage.Pyramids defender Ahmed Sami told «beIN Sports»: «We are not thinking about topping the group now. Our desire to score an early goal was the reason we did not score in the first half».He added: «The coach spoke to us during the break and asked us to calm down, and this is what we did until we achieved victory».
Despite Pyramids dominating the first half, they were unable to score. Viston Miley, who won the African Player of the Year award, wasted a dangerous opportunity after failing to control a cross pass inside the penalty area.The situation changed in the second half, and Atef succeeded in scoring for Pyramids in the 52nd minute after following up on a rebound shot by Mahmoud Abdel Hafeez (Zalaka).Atef doubled the lead five minutes later, with a perfect header after a cross pass from Karim Hafez.Atef completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute with a low shot from close range.Atef told «beIN Sports»: «We wasted several chances in the first half... God willing, we will win the title for the second time».Meanwhile, Nahdat Berkane won 3-0 over Power Dynamos.Power Dynamos player Aaron Katibi accidentally scored into his own net in the 13th minute, and Mounir Choueir added the second goal three minutes later.Paul Bassin concluded Nahdat Berkane's goals in the 65th minute from a penalty kick.
