Preview: Egypt's Pyramids FC eyeing first African glory after spending sprees

Ahram Online , Saturday 24 Oct 2020

Pyramids meet Morocco's RS Berkane in the African Confederation Cup final on Sunday. The match will take place in Rabat at 21:00 Cairo time (19:00 GMT).

Pyramids FC
File photo of Egypt's Pyramids FC (Photo: CAFonline.com)

Egypt's Pyramids FC can finally reap the rewards of their spending sprees over the past few seasons as they yearn for their first ever trophy when they meet Morocco's RS Berkane in the African Confederation Cup final on Sunday.

More than two years ago, the club, formerly known as Assiouty Sport, was sold to Turki Al-Sheikh - then the head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority - with the acquisition changing the dynamics of Egyptian football.

Hundreds of millions of Egyptian pounds were poured into the club as Al-Sheikh sought to dethrone Ahly, the traditional dominant force in Egyptian and African football.

While that target has not been realized yet, Pyramids were still able to climb the ladder of success, with new Emirati owner Salem Al-Shamsi also spending big to bolster the team's squad.

They finished third in the Egyptian Premier League last season to qualify for the Confederation Cup for the first time, and beating Berkane would represent a dream debut for the outsiders.

This term, they are also still challenging Zamalek for the Egyptian league's runners-up spot, which earns qualification for the lucrative African Champions League.

Pyramids, led by veteran playmaker Abdallah El-Said, left it late to beat Guinea's Horoya AC 2-0 in the semi-final, although their opponents never looked like threatening.

They are expected to face a much stiffer opponent against Berkane, who are making their second successive appearance in the Confederation Cup final.

"We played very well and controlled the game for the whole match and that's why I think we deserved the win," said Pyramids' Croatian coach Ante Cacic, whose job seems on the line.

"I know that Berkane is a strong opponent but if we play the same way as today maybe we can win the cup."

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