File photo of Pyramids FC (Photo: the club's official Twitter account)
Egyptian side Pyramids FC will be looking to secure a comfortable first-leg advantage when they host Nigeria's Enyimba in the African Confederation Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
Pyramids are eager to make up for last year's agonizing defeat by Morocco's RS Berkane in the Confederation Cup final, which left them waiting for their first piece of silverware.
The club have been spending big over the past few seasons after being bought by Arab Gulf investors, but they are still finding it difficult to challenge Cairo giants Ahly and Zamalek for domestic honours.
But the Confederation Cup, Africa's secondary club competition, represents a good chance for Pyramids to have a shot at what would be their first ever crown.
Pyramids have been inconsistent in the Egyptian Premier League lately, holding leaders Zamalek to a 1-1 draw and beating Wadi Degla 3-1 before suffering a stunning 4-2 loss to top-flight debutants Ceramica Cleopatra.
"We are seeking to get a good result in the home game that would help us continue our path towards the title," the team's Argentinean boss Rodolfo Arruabarrena told the pre-match news conference.
"We worked on getting the players mentally ready following the previous painful loss in the domestic league, which was the worst thing that happened to us this season.
"Enyimba have a strong frontline but we are keen to exploit their defensive problems," he added.
Pyramids finished second in their group behind runaway leaders Raja of Morocco while Enyimba narrowly topped theirs ahead of South Africa's Orlando Pirates.
Enyimba will miss suspended winger Anayo Iwuala and defender defender Nabil Yarou, who was unable to travel to Egypt due to passport issues. Pyramids have an almost fully fit squad to choose from.
"It's going to be a big match everybody knows that, pyramids FC over time they have really established themselves at the level of the continent and they are a formidable side any day any time," Enyimba coach Fatai Osho said on the club's official website.
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