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Ambitious Pyramids rank as Pirates' most important foe so far this CAF season

For decades, the Egyptian league had been dominated by Cairo giants Al Ahly and Zamalek football clubs, with some limited challenge offered by Ismaily and Arab Contractors. Both Ismaily and Arab Contractors had significantly receded in the past decade, with the Contractors (now preferring to be known as Al Mokawloon Al Arab) losing their premier league status as they currently campaign in the Egyptian second-tier. Despite their fallen fortunes, the Contractors and Ismaily remain among five other clubs to win the Egyptian league apart from Al Ahly and Zamalek. Amid these events Pyramids FC emerged in 2018 to forcefully stake a claim in the top 3 of the Egyptian league. The club was in fact formed in 2008 as Al Assiouty Sport in Beni Suef, a city 120km south of Cairo. In 2018, a season after the club had returned to premier for its second stint, it was bought by the chairman of the Saudi Sports Authority Turki Al-Sheikh, renamed Pyramids and relocated to New Cairo, a modern metropolitan city developing on the outskirts of the original Cairo. In their first season under the new name, Pyramids finished third in the Egyptian and reached the final of the 2019 Egyptian Cup where they lost to Zamalek. The same year, the club was bought by UAE businessman Salem Al Shamsi and continued to fortify its position in the Egyptian top 3. Pyramids have now finished as runners-up to the league title three times including the previous season. They were runners-up in 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup, losing to Morocco's RS Berkane in the final. In the meantime, Pyramids' value also increased by leaps and bounds that last year at €22.25-million, they were ranked the third most valuable African club behind Mamelodi Sundowns (€35.40m) and Al Ahly (€28.45m). They value is set to increase as they are on course to win their first Egyptian league title, as they lead the league table. Today, Pyramids seek to raise the bar to a higher level in their quest to be rated among the best when they come up against Orlando Pirates in the Champions League semifinals. The first leg is scheduled for 6pm at the FNB Stadium. Pirates' home venue, Orlando Stadium, is not available after it was booked for Easter festivities by the Grace Bible Church. Pirates should know they are meeting a hugely ambitious club, and by now, I trust they have not only studied the team's strengths and weaknesses but also understand Pyramids' philosophy and ambition. So, today it will not be about winning a football match for both teams but a show of determination to grow their brands and respect on the continent. In my opinion, this is the most important challenge for Pirates in their Champions League journey this season. Pyramids mean business and Pirates in return must show they have a longer, colourful history that the visitors must respect. The only way to achieve that is to win today and eventually qualify for the final by sailing through in the second leg on April 25.

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