Egyptian side Pyramids FC are gearing up to host Mali's Djoliba AC in the final round of the CAF Champions League Group D at Cairo's Air Defense Stadium on Saturday, with their eyes set on a victory to claim the group summit.
The Egyptian Blues secured their place in the prestigious competition's quarterfinals last Saturday with a narrow 1-0 win over Angola's Sagrada Esperança, thanks to a late goal by second-half substitute Marwan Hamdi.
That win marked Pyramids FC's first-ever qualification for the Champions League quarterfinals after falling short in last year's tournament with a group-stage exit.
However, the Cairo-based side are currently second in their group with 10 points, equal with Esperance of Tunisia, who sit atop the group thanks to goal difference.
Pyramids FC will be looking for a victory to finish the gruop stage on a high note, and hoping that the Tunisian side stumble to claim the group's top spot to secure favourable quarter-final draws.
The Egyptian side will rely on their talismanic forward Ibrahim Adel, who has been a standout for the team, scoring three goals in the continental competition so far, including a stunning injury-time double bicycle kick against Esperance.
On the other hand, winless Djoliba, languishing at the bottom of the group with two points and only two goals, will aim for a win to end their participation in the competition on a high note, though they will face a very tough challenge.
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