Boost Ahead: Pyramids FC Gears Up to Defend Africa’s Crown in Rwanda

Return of Walid El-Karti: A Boost for Pyramids

Pyramids FC, the reigning champions of the CAF Champions League, have been given a timely lift as they prepare to defend their continental title. The Nile club heads to Kigali to challenge the Rwanda Defence Forces FC in the first leg of the preliminary round, aiming to take a healthy lead into the return match.

The match, originally set for a different slot, was delayed due to Pyramids’ early commitments in the Intercontinental Cup for clubs, a tournament that tends to test squads just before the main event. Now, with the calendar aligned, the team can focus on a crucial away leg in the Rwandan capital.

Pyramids opened their global campaign with a 3-0 home victory over Oakland City FC, at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo, with goals from Walid El-Karti, Marwan Hamdi, and Mustafa Abdel-Raouf “Zico.” The win helped set a confident tone for a season packed with international duties.

Later, Pyramids captured the Three-Continents Cup by defeating Al-Ahli Saudi FC in Jeddah, a triumph that added a feather to their cap and a spring in their step as they enter Africa’s premier club competition. Congolese forward Fiston Mayele completed a hat-trick in that game, signaling the team’s attacking intent as they push deeper into a packed calendar.

If Pyramids advance, they will meet the winner of a clash between North and South American finalists in the semifinal, scheduled for December 13, with a potential Intercontinental showdown against Paris Saint-Germain on December 17 if paths align. The stakes are high, but so is the ambition—the squad is setting its sights on more than just a round; they want glory on the global stage.

Squad News and Travel Details

Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic announced the travelling squad to Rwanda on Sunday, with the return of Moroccan midfielder Walid El-Karti from a minor muscle issue that kept him out of recent league and Intercontinental Cup fixtures. El-Karti’s fitness is described as complete, and his presence adds a key dimension to the team’s midfield options.

El-Karti, 31, has been one of the team’s most influential players this season, already contributing goals and assists across competitions, and he remains a central figure as Pyramids balance domestic duties with continental commitments. The squad includes other stalwarts and a few rotation pieces, as the coaching staff weighs squad rotation against the demands of a heavy schedule.

On the injury front, goalkeeper Sherif Ezz De—no, Sherif Ekarami is out for technical reasons, and Ramadan Sobhi is not fully ready due to knee pains. Osama Jalal was also left out with a hamstring issue, while defender Mahmoud Marai has returned after an ACL-related layoff and faces a potentially tricky decision about pitch conditions on the artificial turf in Rwanda.

With Mahmoud Marai travelling as part of the squad, coaches will decide on his involvement depending on the surface and match urgency. The team’s travel party includes club CEO Mamdouh Eid and sporting director Hani Said, who will oversee logistics to ensure the players remain focused on football and not on travel fatigue.

In domestic action, Pyramids recently hammered Misr Lel Makkasa in the Egypt Premier League, with right-back Mohammed El-Shenawi, winger Evert Da Silva, and striker Mahmoud Abdelhafiz among those contributing to the rout. The victory lifted the team to third place with momentum and confidence moving forward into Africa’s flagship competition.

Lineup highlights for Pyramids include a strong defensive spine and a potent attack, with a mix of experience and youth ready to push for a deep run in Africa while balancing a demanding global schedule. The road to defending a continental crown is never easy, but the squad appears motivated, cohesive, and deeply focused on the task ahead.