CAIRO, Egypt - Under the floodlights of Cairo on Sunday night, African champions Pyramids FC delivered a clinical performance to defeat Auckland City 3-0 in their FIFA Intercontinental Playoff, showcasing the relentless quality that earned them continental glory.
15 September 2025
For the Navy Blues, it was a tough outing against a side that simply proved too strong on the night.
The hosts wasted no time asserting their dominance. With crisp passing and aggressive pressing, the African champions took the lead in the 15th minute. A pinpoint cross from the right by Ewerton found Walid El Karti, who cooly finished from close range to put the Egyptians ahead.
City keeper Nathan Garrow was called into action multiple times before the break, producing a string of impressive saves to keep the deficit to just one at halftime.
The second half saw a spirited response from the New Zealanders. Dylan Manickum came agonisingly close to levelling the score, and for a brief period, the Navy Blues looked capable of turning the tide. But as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, they left themselves exposed at the back.
Pyramids capitalised ruthlessly. In the 74th minute, Marwan Hamdy rose highest to meet a well-placed cross, thundering home a header to double the lead. Ten minutes later, Mostafa Ziko sealed the result with a composed finish, putting the match beyond doubt and sending the home crowd into raptures.
Despite the defeat, Auckland skipper Mario Ilich remained proud of his team’s effort. Speaking after the match, he said:
“It was a tough place to come, tough result at the end… Really proud of the boys’ efforts though. We stuck in that game for long periods and had our spells. On a different day, a couple of those chances could’ve gone in.”
Ilich acknowledged the quality of the opposition:
“They are the champions of Africa for a reason and they showed it tonight. Relentless, non-stop pressure, good deliveries… fair play to them.”
Looking ahead, the captain emphasised the importance of the journey:
“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions this year—from Northern League to Chatham Cup to playing Bayern Munich and now the African champions. We love playing for this club, and hopefully this gives us a good boost heading into the National League back home.”
While the result stings, Auckland City can hold their heads high after a season that saw them face some of the world’s elite. With the National League looming, the Navy Blues return to New Zealand battle-tested and motivated.
“No rest for the wicked,” Ilich quipped with a smile. And with that, Auckland City’s international chapter closes—for now—with pride, resilience, and plenty to build on.
Ends
Match Result
FIFA Intercontinental Cup / FIFA African-Asian-Pacific-Cup™
Sunday 14 September / Monday 15 September
30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt
Pyramids FC (EGY) :3 (EL KARTI 15’, HAMDY 74’, ZIKO 85’)
Auckland City FC (NZL) :0
HT: 1-0
AC: 24. Nathan GARROW (GK), 2. Mario ILICH (c), 3. Adam MITCHELL (25. Michael DEN HEIJER 84’), 4. Christian GRAY, 5. Nikko BOXALL, 7. Myer BEVAN, 8. Gerard GARRIGA (14. Jordan VALE 76’) 10. Dylan MANICKUM (27. Haris ZEB, 67’), 17. Jerson LAGOS, 26. David YOO (20. Matthew ELLIS 67’), 21. Adam BELL (13. Nathan LOBO 76’)
SUBS NOT USED: 12. Jeremy FOO, 15. Jackson MANUEL, 16. Paris DOMFEH, 18. Sebastian CIGANDA (GK), 19. Dylan CONNOLLY, 22. Tong ZHOU
HEAD COACH: PAUL POSA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Adria CASALS
GK COACH: Jonas HOFFMANN
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
PHYSIO: Zara ELLIS
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
