Injury Storm Reshapes Pyramids’ CAF CL Plans Ahead of Rivers United Showdown

Injury Shake-Up Before CAF CL Clash

Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić found his plans unsettled as Pyramids FC prepared for Rivers United of Nigeria in the CAF Champions League group-stage opener, set for Saturday at Cairo’s Defense Stadium.

Jurčić had considered resting Congo forward Fiston Maiélé, who had just traveled to Morocco to receive the Africa’s Best Player award alongside teammate Mohammed Chebbi, if travel constraints lingered and time remained tight.

Speaking at the press conference, the coach explained that Maiélé’s inclusion would not be ideal given the short turnaround between the celebration in Morocco and the return to Cairo for a high-stakes match.

Injury news: Then came the bad news—Marwan Hamdi, the team’s forward, suffered a hamstring strain and was ruled out of the Rivers United game.

Lineups, Squad Notes and Tactical Talk

Jurčić unveiled a lineup that keeps Maiélé starting but replaces others as needed, with the intention of balancing freshness and continuity. The goalkeeper trio listed included Ahmed El-Shenawy, Sherif Ikrami, and Mahmoud Gad, while the defensive spine featured Ali Gaber, Ahmed Sami, Mahmoud Meri, Mohammed Hady, Karim Hafez, Mohammed Cheiby, Tarek Alaa, and Abdul Rahman Gouda.

Midfield options spanned Blati Touré, Walid El Karti, Ahmed Atef “Cat,” Everton Da Silva, Ahmed Tofiq, and Mahmoud Abdel Aty “Donga,” with Mahmoud Abdel Hafiz “Zlaka,” Mohamed Raad “Bobo,” and Mustafa Abdel Roouf “Ziko” contributing further options. Up front were Fiston Maiélé and Dodo Gabbas.

Absent from the selections for the trip to the capital’s stadium were Ramadan Sobhi, Osama Jallal, Yousef Ibrahim “Obama,” and Mustafa Fathi, all sidelined by injuries, leaving Jurčić with a lean but capable squad for the opener.

Following the lineup reveal, Pyramids celebrated their recent accolades, including being named Africa’s Best Club of 2025, and Maiélé’s Africa Best Player honor, underscoring the club’s ambition as the team prepared to step onto the field.

The club’s president, Mamdouh Eid, honored all staff and players, applauding the continental success and stressing that the group’s strength lies in its unity and fighting spirit as they approached the first group-stage match.

Coach’s remarks: Jurčić emphasized the difficulty of the opening tie against Rivers United and the importance of starting the continental campaign with a strong performance at home. He reiterated his belief that the club’s ascent to the summit of African football demands not just talent but a disciplined, no-excuses mentality.

He added that the team’s ambitions extend beyond the weekend’s result, aiming to win every match, both domestically and in Africa, and to sustain the momentum that has defined Pyramids in recent seasons. He also noted the challenge of managing injuries, with key players returning to training progressively after attending Africa’s best-player ceremony, which could affect preparation and conditioning ahead of the match.

As the discussion shifted to the club’s broader trajectory, Jurčić reflected on Pyramids’ evolution from Al Assiouty Sport to a modern, professional project launched in 2018. He recalled the club’s steady rise—from a domestic challenger to a continental contender—highlighting the role of professional management, infrastructure development, and selective acquisitions in shaping a team capable of competing for Africa’s top honors.

Looking back at recent seasons, the coach pointed to a period of consistency that allowed Pyramids to contend for domestic titles and push deep into African competition. The squad’s blend of experienced internationals and rising talents, coupled with a structured approach, has helped establish the club as a reference point in Egyptian football and a credible challenger in Africa’s premier club competition.

In closing, Jurčić stressed that injuries must not derail the mission. “This group,” he said, “is the same group that achieved almost all the titles last season and began this season strongly both locally and continentally. Our strength comes from team spirit. We will play with power, focus, and no excuses.”

Beyond the tactical and physical aspects, the match will also serve as a test of Pyramids’ cultural resolve—a club that has rapidly transformed the Egyptian football landscape since its 2018 rebranding and which has already etched its name into Africa’s modern football narrative with finishes at the top of the continental ladder.

As fans prepare to rally at the Defense Stadium, the anticipation is high: a blend of prestige, pressure, and possibility, all wrapped in the colors of Pyramids FC.

Punchline time: If injuries were a currency, Jurčić would be earning interest faster than a forwards’ sprint—talk about medical budgeting.
Punchline two: Pyramids’ medical staff must be preparing for a sequel to this season—because every great run comes with a few cliffhangers and a lot of tape.