CAIRO (Interstat) — Substitute Hamed Hamdan scored in the 61st minute to give Pyramids a 1-0 victory over National Bank of Egypt Club in an Egyptian Premier League match Monday at Cairo International Stadium.

The decisive play was built by Pyramids’ substitutes, as Dodo El Gabbas provided the assist for Hamdan’s right-footed finish. Defender Mostafa Dowidar and midfielder Ahmed Madbouli, who received a yellow card in first-half stoppage time, were also key in the build-up. The result defied a pregame projection from Interstat, whose simulator had forecast a 1-1 draw.

Pyramids began its league campaign with a win, while National Bank of Egypt Club started with a loss. The match was the season opener for both clubs in domestic competition.