Both sides play their respective first-leg contests of the competition's playoff round away from home, with Pyramids meeting Maniema Union in Kinshasa and Masry facing Rivers United in Aba.

"We are looking for a positive result to make our task easier in the second leg," Pyramids' veteran playmaker Abdallah El-Said said.

"The players have the sufficient experience to cope with playing on an artificial turf."

Pyramids reached the playoff after overcoming Tanzania's Azam 1-0 on aggregate in the preliminary round.

The Emirati-owned club reached the Confederation Cup final in 2020 but lost to Morocco's RS Berkane 1-0. They were the victims of another Moroccan outfit a year later, slumping to a shootout defeat by Raja in the semi-final following a 0-0 aggregate draw.

Masry have made a stuttering start to their domestic league campaign, collecting seven points from five matches after winning only once. They sit ninth in the 18-team table.

But with two-time Champions League winner Moine Chaabani in charge, Masry are confident they can go far in Africa's secondary club competition.

The Port Said-based club complained of a tiring journey to Aba but they are favourites to boss their game against Rivers United.

Masry took part in the Confederation Cup for four straight years (2017-20), reaching the semi-final in 2018 and the quarters on their last participation in 2020.

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