Pyramids coach Juricc counts on home support for historic moment

Pyramids FC head coach Krunoslav Jurcic has called on Egyptian football fans to unite behind his team as they prepare for the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

With the tie finely poised at 1-1 following a dramatic first-leg draw in Pretoria, the Croatian tactician is hoping for a surge in support when the two sides meet on Sunday in Cairo.

“We expect a surprise from the fans,” Jurčić said during Saturday’s pre-match press conference.

“This is not just about Pyramids — we are representing Egyptian football. We want all Egyptians to get behind us in this moment.”

Jurcic’s team held their nerve in the first leg, snatching a stoppage-time equaliser through Walid El Karti after falling behind to a Lucas Ribeiro strike.

But the coach knows the job is far from done.

“It’s a decisive and difficult match,” he said.

“We’ll play our usual way, but we are ready for all scenarios. This is the CAF Champions League final — anything can happen.”

This is Pyramids’ first appearance in the final of Africa’s premier club competition.

Having already eliminated TP Mazembe and Esperance in the knockout stages, Jurcic believes his players are mentally prepared for another battle.

“We’ve built character over this campaign. We respect Sundowns, but we are here to win,” he added.

A capacity crowd is expected in Cairo, with Pyramids hoping to become the fourth Egyptian club to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League trophy.