Rivers United technical adviser, Finidi George, has attributed his team’s 3-0 loss to Pyramids FC to missed opportunities and defensive lapses.
The Port Harcourt side fell to the reigning holders in their opening CAF Champions League group stage clash in Cairo on Saturday night.
After a competitive first half that ended goalless, Pyramids came out stronger in the second half.
Their efforts bore fruit in the 52nd minute when Ahmed Atef El Sayed fired home from close range to break the deadlock.
Just five minutes later, Atef doubled the lead with a superb header into the top-right corner, following a precise through ball from Karim Hafez.
Pyramids continued to dominate, with Atef completing his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, calmly slotting a right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner off a Mohamed Reda assist.
Reflecting on the defeat, Finidi praised his players’ effort. “We played well but the final touch was not there,” he said.
“We did well in the first half and in the second half, their first goal was a mistake from our defender. If you allow a team like this to score, they will gain momentum, and from that they got their second goal, and from there the game was over.”
Rivers United will now turn their attention to their next group fixture against Moroccan side RS Berkane, scheduled for Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
