AS FAR will aim to make a statement on the African football stage today as they face Egyptian giants Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarterfinal.
Kick-off is at 7 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT), and fans can catch the action live on BeIN Sports Arabic.
AS FAR will be without goalkeeper Ayoub Khayati, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Winger Hicham Bousfian is also unavailable.
Head coach Alexandre Santos remains calm and hopeful. He knows his team has the experience to cope with the pressure. “We’re ready for this,” he said. “We have the players to handle it. We’re not here to make up the numbers.”
Meanwhile, Pyramids manager Krunoslav Jurčić knows AS FAR won’t be easy to beat. He’s watched enough footage to know they’re a dangerous team. “They’ve got experience, but we’ve got what it takes to exploit their weaknesses,” he said. “Our players are fired up. We’re going for the win.”
Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy is not taking anything for granted either. “This match is key,” he said. “We need a strong result before the return leg in Morocco.”
AS FAR will host Pyramids next week on April 8 for the second leg and will rely on their fiery supporters to help secure a historic qualification to the semi-finals.
Score Prediction:
Both sides play a high-pressing, tactical game. They have met only twice before in the 2023 CAF Confederation Cup group stage. AS FAR earned a hard-fought point in Cairo but won 1-0 at home at Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Expect a tight contest with both teams looking to avoid conceding an early goal that could severely thump their hopes of reaching the semis.
Verdict: Pyramids FC 1-1 AS FAR
