Pyramids FC's Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić has hailed his teams historic achievement, as the Egyptian club reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals for the very first time.
The breakthrough came after a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory over Morocco’s Royal Army Club. Despite losing 2–0 in the second leg, the team’s earlier performance was enough to seal a place among the continent’s final four.
We’re immensely proud of this achievement, which comes as a result of the tremendous efforts and sacrifices made across the club. It’s a moment of pride for everyone involved.
He emphasised the quality and ambition within his squad, noting: “We have exceptional talent — several of our players are already attracting attention from clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia. They aspire to follow in the footsteps of stars like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, whether that’s in top European leagues or among the big names in Saudi football.”
While proud of the milestone, Jurčić was quick to temper the celebrations. “We must now stay focused. Yes, it’s a moment to remember, but we can’t get carried away. The next challenge is just around the corner.”
The Croatian coach also acknowledged one of the club’s unique challenges — building a high-performing side without the fan base that supports Egypt’s traditional giants.
“At Pyramids, we have lofty ambitions but not the same crowd support as Al Ahly or Zamalek. That means we have to work harder — mentally and physically — to keep the players motivated. A packed stadium gives players a psychological edge, and that’s something we have to compensate for through coaching and preparation.”
Despite these hurdles, Jurčić believes the club is on the right path.
“With the backing of the club’s management, we've proven we can stand toe-to-toe with Egypt’s biggest names. We’re currently top of the league, with 42 points from 13 wins, three draws, and just one loss.”
“We want to win the CAF Champions League. We’ll prepare thoroughly for both legs against Orlando Pirates — at home and away — with the aim of securing a decisive result in the second leg at Cairo Stadium.
Orlando Pirates booked their place in the semi-finals following a goalless second leg against Algeria’s MC Alger, having won the first leg 1–0 in Algiers. The first leg of the semi-final between Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates will take place on 18 or 19 April, with the return leg scheduled in Cairo on 25 or 26 April.
