Pyramids FC Coach Gedo Cautious Ahead of CAF Clash With Sundowns
Pyramids FC head coach Mohamed Nagy “Gedo” has admitted that his side faces a tough challenge ahead of their CAF Champions League semi-final second leg against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, scheduled for 1 June in Cairo.
The tie remains finely poised after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, where Sundowns salvaged a point with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser. While the Egyptian side came away with a vital away goal, Gedo remains wary of Masandawana’s quality and ability to perform on the road.
Speaking to Egyptian outlet Sport El Watan, Gedo praised Sundowns’ resilience and warned that the battle for a place in the CAF Champions League final is far from over. “Thank God, the draw in South Africa is a positive result, but the tie hasn’t been decided yet,” he said. “There’s still the return leg in Cairo. Sundowns are a strong team, good at playing away from home, and capable of scoring on the road.”
Gedo’s cautious optimism comes as Pyramids FC continue their pursuit of a maiden continental title—an ambition that has defined the club’s rapid rise in African football.
Despite the high stakes, Gedo made it clear that Pyramids FC will not abandon their attacking style of play. The coach reiterated his philosophy of dominance and control, regardless of the opponent. “Pyramids don’t rely on defending, whether at home or away,” he said. “We always aim to impose our style and be the dominant side in every match, whether it’s against a strong or weak opponent.”
However, preparations for the crucial second leg have been complicated by domestic scheduling. Pyramids FC had requested a postponement of their Egyptian Premier League match against Ceramica Cleopatra, citing the tight turnaround between fixtures. That request was denied by the league authorities.
“We requested a postponement of the crucial league match against Ceramica due to the short time before the return leg against Sundowns,” Gedo explained. “We were hoping the league association would cooperate with us, but unfortunately, the request was denied.”
Despite the setback, the coach confirmed that his team would honour the fixture and remain focused on both competitions. “The league sent an official letter rejecting the postponement, so we will play the Ceramica match on Wednesday and then face Sundowns on Sunday. We’ll deal with the situation as it is and aim to get the best possible results in both matches.”
With the aggregate score level and everything to play for, the return leg in Cairo promises to be a thrilling encounter. Pyramids FC will look to capitalise on their home advantage, while Mamelodi Sundowns aim to continue their impressive run in Africa’s premier club competition. As the countdown to the decisive clash begins, Gedo’s side will be under pressure to deliver a historic result in front of their fans—and secure a place in the CAF Champions League final for the first time in the club’s history.
