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AS FAR face a daunting task this evening as they host Egypt’s Pyramids in the second leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.
Kick-off is at 8 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1), and fans can catch the action live on BeIN Sports Arabic.
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The Moroccan side trail 4-1 from the first leg in Cairo and must deliver a near-flawless performance if they are to progress to the semis. Head coach Alexandre Santos is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge: “We’ve got 95 minutes,” declared AS FAR boss Alexandre Santos. “This is our moment to show our identity, our quality, and above all, our focus.”
The Rabat-based side were undone early in Cairo, conceding two quick goals and never truly recovering. Santos is expected to make changes to avoid a repeat, with 21 players available for selection. Winger El Amine Zouhzouh, who struggled with a knock in the first leg, is fit and expected to feature in the starting lineup.
The match also carries emotional weight following a controversial decision in Egypt which saw hundreds of AS FAR fans denied entry until the final minutes. A large crowd is expected in Meknes, with supporters eager to fire up their side towards an unlikely semi-final berth.
“The result was painful, yes,” Santos added, “but we’ve worked well. The belief is there. Every player knows what’s at stake.”
Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurčić is all caution: “We’re expecting a very, very difficult match. AS FAR are aggressive, technically strong, and they’ll come at us like a storm from the first minute.”
Still, he exuded quiet confidence. “If we play as we did in Cairo, we’ll go through. We’ve handled hostile atmospheres before—we’ve played Ahly, Zamalek, you name it.”
Pyramids will go through with a draw or even a two-goal defeat. AS FAR must win by three goals to level the tie. But if there’s one truth in football, it’s that it’s never over until the final whistle.
Score Prediction:
AS FAR will huff, puff, and roar. But unless Pyramids collapse under pressure, the Egyptians should edge through. We hope a miracle will turn up uninvited.
Verdict: AS FAR 1-1 Pyrami
