🔥 Pyramids One Step Away From the Round of 32
Pyramids FC face an important clash against Kenyan side Gor Mahia on Sunday evening at Air Defense Stadium in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round, with the Egyptian side determined to secure qualification for the Round of 32 and continue its continental campaign.
Pyramids enter the match with a clear advantage after securing a 2-0 victory in the first leg in Kenya. The result gives the Egyptian side greater room to manage the second leg, but it also creates a responsibility to remain focused and avoid allowing their opponents to return to the tie.
The importance of the match is further increased by the fact that the second leg will be played at Pyramids’ home ground and in front of their supporters, providing an additional psychological advantage before kickoff.
🧠 Mokoena Relies on a Strong Starting XI
South African coach Rolani Mokoena, Pyramids’ head coach, has settled on the expected lineup for the match as he looks to approach the fixture with maximum seriousness and prevent Gor Mahia from controlling the game.
Pyramids are expected to start with:
Goalkeeper: Ahmed El Shenawy.
Defense: Mohamed Chibi, Ahmed Sami, Eyad El Askalany, Karim Hafez.
Midfield: Mohanad Lasheen, Nasser Maher, Mostafa Fathi, Ahmed Atef Katta, Mahmoud Saber.
Attack: Youssef Obama.
The expected lineup reflects Mokoena’s desire to maintain a balance between defensive security and attacking threat, particularly because Pyramids hold a relatively comfortable advantage entering the second leg.
⚽ Pyramids Aim to Confirm Their Advantage
Pyramids scored twice during the first leg through Walid El Karti and Mahmoud Saber, putting themselves in a strong position before the return match in Cairo.
However, the first-leg advantage does not mean qualification is already guaranteed, making it important for the team to approach the match carefully. An early Gor Mahia goal could provide the Kenyan side with significant momentum, while a Pyramids goal would make the visitors’ task considerably more difficult.
The opening stages could therefore prove extremely important, alongside Pyramids’ ability to exploit spaces that may appear as the visitors push forward in search of a comeback.
🏟️ Pyramids vs Gor Mahia Match Time and TV Channel
The Pyramids vs Gor Mahia match will kick off at 8:00 PM Cairo and Mecca time on Sunday at Air Defense Stadium in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
The match will be broadcast on On Sport, allowing Egyptian supporters to follow the country’s representative during one of its most important continental fixtures at the beginning of the season.
🏆 What Happens If the Aggregate Score Is Level?
If Gor Mahia manage to defeat Pyramids 2-0 in the second leg, the aggregate score will be level and the tie will go directly to a penalty shootout to determine the team that advances.
This scenario means Pyramids cannot rely solely on the first-leg result and must treat the return match as a fresh contest requiring complete concentration throughout the 90 minutes.
👨⚖️ Rwandan Refereeing Team Appointed
The Confederation of African Football has appointed a Rwandan refereeing team to officiate the match, led by referee Rwiziza Fideli.
He will be assisted by Didoni Mutimena as first assistant and Eric Mugaba as second assistant, while Samuel Okunda will serve as the fourth official.
Ugandan Yusuf Awi has been appointed match commissioner, while Moroccan Abdallah El Cheri will monitor the performance of the refereeing team.
📋 Pyramids Squad for the Match
Pyramids’ squad for the fixture includes:
Goalkeepers: Ahmed El Shenawy, Hazem Gamal, Ziad Haitham.
Defense: Mohamed Chibi, Khaled Awad, Ahmed Sami, Eyad El Askalany, Karim Hafez.
Midfield: Mohanad Lasheen, Walid El Karti, Hamed Hamdan, Ahmed Tawfik, Nasser Maher, Mostafa Fathi, Abdelrahman Magdy, Ahmed Abdelkader, Ahmed Atef Katta, Ahmed Fawzi, Mostafa Zico, Mahmoud Saber, Mahmoud Zalaka.
Attack: Dodo El Gabbas, Youssef Obama.
The squad gives the coaching staff several different options, both when selecting the starting lineup and making substitutions during the match, which could prove important in managing the contest.
🟢 Mamelodi Bentiu Await the Qualifier
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Bentiu of South Sudan have already secured a place in the Round of 32 after eliminating Somali side Heegan on a 4-0 aggregate score.
Mamelodi Bentiu won the first leg 1-0 before recording a 3-0 victory in the return match. Both fixtures were played at Juba International Stadium in South Sudan.
As a result, Mamelodi Bentiu will face whichever team advances from the Pyramids-Gor Mahia tie in the Round of 32 of the CAF Champions League.
📅 Round of 32 Dates
The first-leg matches in the Round of 32 are scheduled for one of October 16, 17 or 18 away from home, while the return legs are set for one of October 23, 24 or 25 at home.
🔥 Pyramids Face a Test of Concentration
Despite their advantage, Pyramids will need to manage the match intelligently because Gor Mahia will enter the contest looking to overturn the two-goal deficit.
Maintaining composure and avoiding unnecessary rushing will be important for the Egyptian side because the match could become much more open if Gor Mahia score early.
Pyramids’ ability to capitalize on attacking opportunities, meanwhile, could simplify the situation and help them secure a more comfortable passage to the next round.
🏁 Conclusion
Pyramids enter their second-leg clash with Gor Mahia holding a 2-0 first-leg advantage, but they must complete the job officially and avoid any surprises at Air Defense Stadium. 🔥🏆
The opening period, concentration and finishing efficiency are likely to be among the key factors in the match, while South Sudan’s Mamelodi Bentiu are waiting to face the winner in the Round of 32.
📢 Do you expect Pyramids to qualify comfortably? Can the Egyptian side make a deep run in the CAF Champions League this season? Share your predictions. ⚽🔥
