The defending champions eliminated the Moroccan side at the same stage in last season’s competition before going on to win their first continental title, and they will be hoping to repeat that success this year.
In 2025, Pyramids won the first leg 4-1 in Cairo before losing 2-0 in Rabat to progress with a 4-3 aggregate victory.
“We monitored the Moroccan team and it is almost the same side as last season,” Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurčić told the pre-match news conference on Thursday.
“Our target is to retain the title and the team will fight to defend our chances and achieve our mission.”
On paper, Pyramids are not expected to face major difficulties in Friday’s match, which will be played behind closed doors following a sanction imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on FAR.
The Egyptian side recorded the best performance in the group stage with 16 points, the highest tally among the 16 teams in the competition.
Pyramids also boasted the most potent attack (14 goals) and the tightest defence (two goals conceded in six matches).
With those figures, Pyramids appear not only favourites to progress from this round but also strong contenders to retain their title.
Moroccan midfielder Walid El-Karti is Pyramids’ only confirmed absentee due to a muscle injury.
FAR reached the quarter-finals after finishing second in Group B with nine points, one behind leaders Ahly.
The Moroccan side struggled in the group stage, scoring only three goals in six matches, and face a difficult task against the defending champions despite playing at home.
“We will face the defending champions and it will be a tough task,” FAR coach Alexandre Santos told the pre-match news conference.
“I know the Egyptian side are the favourites, but we will fight fiercely to defend our chances.”
The second leg will take place in Cairo on 21 March.
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