Pyramids won't be easy to topple as Orlando Pirates go in search of second star

Orlando Pirates beware – the team standing in the way of your third appearance in the final of the continent’s premier club knockout competition may be rookies at this stage, and, yes, they are winless against South African opposition in two previous assignments in Africa but Pyramids FC are not going to be the walkover many in The Ghost seem to believe.

Granted, the Buccaneers are slight favourites to win their CAF Champions League semi-final tie against the Egyptians, based solely on their highly impressive unbeaten run to the penultimate stage. Yet, it would be folly for Pirates to think Pyramids will simply roll over.

Far from it.

Though they are newcomers at this stage, the club – formerly known as Al Assiouty Sport until 2018 – are enjoying a strong run of form that has them on the brink of ending the Cairo domination of the Egyptian League.

Pyramids are top of the league table on 44 points, four clear of second-placed Al Ahly with three matches remaining. Their march to the Champions League semi-final has been impressive too – the Cairo-based side having overcome AS FAR Rabat 4-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, having thrashed the Moroccans 4-1 in the first leg, which essentially rendered the return fixture academic.

They also performed well in the group stages, finishing level on 13 points with Espérance, but ending second due to head-to-head results.

Key to Pyramids’ success in the Champions League has been their potent attacking duo – Congolese forward Fiston Mayele and local star Ibrahim Adel, who is set to miss the after not beingnamed in the touring squad.

Nevertheless, both players have each scored six goals en route to the semi-finals. The likes of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thapelo Xoki will have to be at their very best if Pirates are to keep a clean sheet in the home leg and give themselves a fighting chance ahead of the return leg.

Many South Africans will point out that Pyramids were previously beaten by Mamelodi Sundowns in the Champions League and by Marumo Gallants in the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals two seasons ago, and expect Pirates to make it three out of three. However, the reality is that this Pyramids outfit is vastly improved from those earlier campaigns and will be much more competitive, as they seek to make history by winning both domestic and continental titles.

Sure, Pirates are favourites – but Pyramids are likely to prove a tough nut to crack.

Sundowns, on the other hand, face a familiar foe in Al Ahly – the 12-time champions and a team looking to complete an unprecedented hat-trick of Champions League titles.

Miguel Cardoso will be eager to get revenge against the Red Eagles, having lost to Ahly in last year’s final while coaching Espérance. He will be counting on his players to remember that Sundowns have previously humiliated Ahly – twice putting five goals past the African Club of the Century.

Ahly’s route to this stage of the competition has not been flawless. They lost twice in the group phase – first to CR Belouizdad, who ended their remarkable 27-match unbeaten run, and then to Pirates in the final group match, which decided who topped the group.

Yet, in the Champions League, it’s not about how you start but how you finish – and Ahly have mastered the art of growing stronger as the competition progresses.

Nothing illustrates the confidence Ahly are bringing to Loftus Versfeld better than the statement made recently by their coach, Marcel Koller:

“We have four very difficult matches ahead of us to win the competition,” said the Swiss tactician – a subtle but clear suggestion that he is already looking beyond the Sundowns tie.

We are in for a thrilling Easter weekend of top-class continental football in Mzansi, with Sundowns hosting Ahly at 3pm and Pirates squaring up against Pyramids at 6pm – both on Saturday.