The defending champions have been dominant throughout the group stage, amassing 13 points to ensure early qualification, sealing their spot in the knockout stage with an emphatic 4-1 away victory over Nigeria’s Rivers United in the previous round.
During their impressive group stage campaign, the Cairo-based side have claimed four wins and a single draw. They are now determined to conclude this phase of the tournament without a single defeat.
The battle for the second qualifying spot remains intense, as the Morocc’s RS Berkane and the Zambian side are currently level on seven points, with both sides having recorded two victories, one draw, and two defeats, making Saturday’s clash a do-or-die encounter for the Zambian visitors.
Despite securing early qualification, Pyramids’ Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić insisted his side will approach Saturday’s game with a winning mindset as they chase a perfect group-stage record.
“We are playing to win and to collect three points. We want to finish the group stage in the best possible way to maintain our rhythm and enter the knockout rounds with momentum,” Jurčić said during the pre-match press conference on Friday.
The 56-year-old coach revealed that he plans to rest several first-team regulars due to a congested fixture schedule.
“This is a good chance to give playing time to players who have not featured regularly. Preparing all squad members is essential for us to continue our journey with the same strength in the coming period,” Jurčić explained.
With top spot in the group already guaranteed, the 56-year-old coach is expected to rotate his squad to avoid fatigue and injury.
Winter signings, including Jordanian goalkeeper Odeh Al-Fakhouri and former Zamalek midfielder Nasser Maher, are expected to feature, as both players impressed as substitutes in the previous match and could be handed starts alongside Zambian winger Pascal Phiri.
Power Dynamos, on the other hand, face a daunting task as they travel to Cairo, as they must secure a positive result against the group leaders to keep their quarter-final hopes alive and avenge their 1-0 home loss to Pyramids FC back in November.
Should RS Berkane and Power Dynamos finish the group stage level on points, the qualification spot will be determined by head-to-head records, though the Moroccan side hold the advantage in that scenario.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: