Egypt's Pyramids committed some dreadful blunders to slump to a 2-0 loss at Morocco's Raja for their first defeat in this season's African Confederation Cup campaign, with the Casablanca side winning the battle for top spot. Pyramids started brightly and could have taken an early lead when Raja defender Abdelilah Madkour cleared a goal-bound shot from Ramadan Sobhi off the line, only for Eslam Eissa to blast the rebound high over with the goal gaping. A comical error from experienced keeper Sherif Ekramy gifted Raja a 15th-minute opener though, as he fumbled an innocuous shot from Madkour that was on its way out back into his own net. Ben Malango doubled Raja's advantage seven minutes later following another mistake. An attempted defensive clearance from Ali Gabr rebounded off a teammate and found Mohsine Moutaouali, who released Congolese striker Ben Malango to drill the ball past the advancing Ekramy. Pyramids dominated possession in the second half but could hardly threaten Raja, with a shot from Eissa that drew a fine save from Anas Zniti their only meaningful attempt. Ben Malango headed home in stoppage time but his goal was disallowed for offside, although television replays suggested that he was onside. Pyramids, who opened their Group D campaign with wins over Tanzania's Namungo and Zambia's Nkana, lie second on six points, three behind Raja with three matches left. Nkana have three points in third while Namungo lie at the bottom with no points. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
