The stage is set in the Egyptian capital as Pyramids FC prepare to host South African giants Orlando Pirates at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo for a pivotal TotalEnergies CAF Champions League semifinal second-leg encounter.
The clash, scheduled for a 20h00 kick-off, will determine who advances to the coveted final, where either Al Ahly or Mamelodi Sundowns await.
Pyramids FC will be aiming to reignite their Champions League aspirations after a recent dip in form, having gone four matches without a victory across all competitions.
Their goalless draw in the first leg against Orlando Pirates in Soweto on April 19th compounded this streak, marking their second stalemate in four games.
Read: Who are Orlando Pirates’ semi-final hosts, Pyramids FC?
That being said, the Egyptian side can take solace in their formidable home record in this season’s TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. They remain unbeaten on their own turf, boasting an impressive six wins and one draw, a run that includes a decisive 3-1 quarterfinal victory over Angolan side Sagrada Esperança. This strong home form will be crucial as they seek to overturn the first-leg draw.
In contrast, Orlando Pirates, the esteemed 1995 CAF Champions League winners, stand as the only undefeated team remaining in the competition. Their campaign has been marked by resilience, evidenced by five draws and eight victories thus far. The goalless draw in the first leg extended their unbeaten streak across all competitions to an impressive nine matches.
Furthermore, their recent away form in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, which includes consecutive victories on the road, underscores their ability to perform under pressure away from home.
Ahead of this crucial showdown, Pyramids FC are facing concerns over the fitness of their star attacker, Ibrahim Adel. The influential forward, who has netted six goals in the competition this season, has been sidelined for the past four matches due to injury. His availability for the semifinal will be subject to a late fitness assessment, leaving the Egyptian side anxious about his potential absence.
Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, have their own injury woes to contend with, particularly in their defensive ranks. Defenders Olisa Ndah, Thabiso Sesane, Thabiso Monyane, and Thabiso Lebitso are all likely to miss the crucial second leg due to various injuries, presenting a significant challenge for the Buccaneers’ defensive setup.
Pyramids head coach Krunoslav Jurcic expressed confidence in his team’s ability to turn the tie around. “We created chances in the first leg but didn’t convert,” Jurcic said. “If we sharpen our finishing and replicate that performance, we have a real chance to reach the final.”
Orlando Pirates boss Jose Riveiro anticipates a fiercely contested second leg. “It was a tight game in Soweto, and both teams showed they belong at this level,” Riveiro said. “It’s wide open, and we’re ready to fight for a spot in the final.”
The first leg marked the first-ever meeting between Pyramids and Pirates, ending in a tense 0-0 draw. With everything to play for, the aggregate winner, or a potential penalty shootout, will secure a spot in the two-legged final on 24 May and 1 June.
Both teams have shown grit, but Pyramids’ home dominance could be the difference if they rediscover their scoring touch. Pirates, however, have the experience and depth to grind out a result, even with injuries. Expect a cagey affair with moments of brilliance to decide this blockbuster tie.