Unbeaten Pirates look to spoil Pyramids' perfect home record
Pyramids FC and Orlando Pirates are poised for a make-or-break showdown on Friday night in Cairo, with a coveted spot in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final at stake.
After a tightly-contested 0-0 draw in the first leg at FNB Stadium, the tie remains delicately balanced heading into the second leg at the Cairo International Stadium.
Both sides will now need to dig deep to break the deadlock and book their ticket to the final.
The Egyptian outfit will look to continue their imperious home form. Pyramids have won all four of their CAF Champions League home fixtures this season, racking up 17 goals and conceding just three.
They also boast an incredible 22-match unbeaten run at home in all competitions — a record that could prove crucial in such a high-pressure encounter.
Yet they will need to find a way past a resilient Orlando Pirates defence that hasn't conceded in the competition since the group stages.
The South Africans have been equally impressive on the road, with three wins and a draw in their four away games, and will arrive in Cairo brimming with belief.
Pyramids' top scorer Ibrahim Adel, who has five goals in this season's Champions League, will be tasked with breaking Pirates' resistance.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers will lean on the creativity of Relebohile Mofokeng and the pace of Mohau Nkota — both of whom have scored three times this campaign.
With both sides having struggled to find the net in recent continental outings, Friday's second leg may come down to a moment of brilliance or a defensive lapse.
But one thing is certain — a blockbuster finale awaits in Cairo.
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