Pyramids FC will look to ignite their TotalEnergies AF Champions League campaign when they welcome Orlando Pirates to the 30 June Stadium in Cairo for the second-leg semifinal.
Whilst South African cup kings Orlando Pirates were unable fully exploit their home advantage, SBN brings you three factors to consider as the second leg approaches:
- The Buccaneers’ Unblemished Continental Journey:
Orlando Pirates stand as the only unbeaten team remaining in this season’s prestigious TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. Their hard-earned 0-0 draw against Pyramids extended their unbeaten run to an impressive nine matches across all competitions, marking their second draw in the last four encounters.
A closer look at their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League campaign reveals a commanding record of eight wins and five draws. Their away form has been particularly impressive, with victories in their last two away matches in the competition. This strong performance on the road is further highlighted by their remarkable defensive record, having kept three consecutive clean sheets since progressing from the group stages.
Adding to their confidence is an exceptional track record in North Africa this season. In three previous trips to the region, the Buccaneers have emerged victorious each time, securing two wins in Algeria and, most notably, a historic victory against Egyptian giants Al Ahly. This previous success in North Africa will undoubtedly strengthen their belief as they prepare for their upcoming challenge against Pyramids in Cairo.
- Jurčić’s Vehement Disagreement with VAR:
The first leg was marred by the palpable frustration of Pyramids FC’s coach, Krunoslav Jurčić. The experienced 55-year-old Croatian vehemently asserted that his team had, in fact, defeated Orlando Pirates 2-0 in Johannesburg.
His conviction stemmed from two incidents where goals were disallowed following VAR consultation. The first involved Congolese forward Fiston Mayele, who was deemed to be offside. The second controversial moment saw Nigerian midfielder Sodiq Ougola handle the ball into the net.
Despite admitting that he had not reviewed replays of these contentious decisions, Jurčić remained resolute in his post-match assessment. He told reporters, “We scored two goals, we won the match 2-0 after an excellent performance. I am proud of how my players performed and how many scoring chances they created. I am, however, frustrated by the disallowed goals.” This strong belief, even if based on a potentially inaccurate recollection, could serve as a powerful motivator for his Pyramids side heading into the crucial second leg.
- Pyramids’ Continental Debut:
Pyramids FC are relative newcomers to the semifinals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history. However, their journey to this stage has seen a recent dip in overall form. The goalless draw against Orlando Pirates extended their winless streak across all competitions to four matches, with two draws punctuating this period.
Despite this recent stutter, Pyramids can draw significant strength from their formidable home record in this Champions League campaign. They have established their stadium as a daunting venue for visiting teams, securing an impressive six consecutive victories on home soil, with an aggregate score line of 24-5!
This stark contrast between their recent overall form and their unblemished home record sets up an intriguing dynamic for the second leg, where they will be determined to maintain their fortress mentality against a confident Orlando Pirates side.