Rivers United’s CAF Champions League campaign effectively came to an end on Sunday night after a painful 4–1 home defeat to Egyptian giants Pyramids in their Matchday Five group clash.

The Pride of Rivers went into the encounter knowing only a victory would keep their faint hopes of qualification alive, having managed just one point from their opening four matches. For a brief moment, belief flickered inside the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, but it was swiftly extinguished by a ruthless second-half display from the defending champions.

After a cautious opening half-hour, Rivers United struck first. Defender Stephen Manyo, formerly of Enyimba, produced a moment of quality from a well-worked free-kick routine, firing an unstoppable effort into the net to give Finidi George’s side a surprise lead. The hosts held firm thereafter and went into the break ahead, daring to dream.

That dream unraveled almost immediately after halftime.

Pyramids emerged with renewed intensity and were level within seven minutes of the restart, as Mostafa Fathi finished clinically in the 52nd minute. The momentum had clearly swung, and Rivers United struggled to regain control as wave after wave of Egyptian attacks followed.

The decisive blow arrived in the 77th minute when Marwan Hamdi calmly converted from the penalty spot to put the visitors ahead. Chasing the game left Rivers United exposed, and Pyramids capitalised mercilessly in the closing stages. Odeh Al Fakhouri and Nasser Maher added two late goals to complete a dominant turnaround and underline the gulf in quality on the night.

The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive defeat and sealed Rivers United’s exit from the competition, with the Nigerian champions rooted to the bottom of the group.

Rivers United will round off their continental outing away to RS Berkane of Morocco in their final group fixture, while Pyramids return home to host Zambia’s Power Dynamos next weekend, firmly on course for the knockout stages.