Pyramids kick off their campaign away to Tanzania's Azam in the first leg of the second preliminary round on Saturday.

The Emirati-owned club reached the 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.

Pyramids no longer make the kind of mega-money signings which was the hallmark of their tenure under former owner Turki Al-Sheikh of Saudi Arabia, but they can still take heart from the appointment of Ihab Galal as their new coach.

Galal, who took over last month, made an instant impact while in charge of Ismaily last season, keeping them in the top flight with a series of impressive results after they flirted with relegation before his arrival.

He is known for his emphasis on a pretty brand of attacking football, which could suit a Pyramids side brimming with talents such as Egyptian international wingers Ramadan Sobhi and Ibrahim Adel.

Pyramids are expected to easily brush aside little-known Azam but Galal still urged caution.

"Azam are a good team; we watched several games for them. The match won't be easy at all," he told reporters.

"Our main target is to win all of our games and be crowned champions at the end."

Fellow Egyptian side Masry also start their campaign away from home as they meet Uganda's URA at Kampala's St Mary's Stadium.

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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