Photo Credit: Pyramids FC
Wealthy Egyptian club Pyramids FC have an opportunity to move into top spot in Group D of the CAF Champions League when the Cairo club faces Malian hosts Djoliba AC in Bamako on Sunday (16:00 GMT). Alongside Tunisian champions Espérance ST, Pyramids are heavy favorites to advance out of the group but Djoliba will be determined to gain ground after losing to Espérance in their opening match.
Djoliba AC
Captain Ousmane Diallo and the Djoliba defense will be tested on Sunday
The odds remain heavily against the Malian champions who were overwhelmed in Tunis against Espérance by a 4-0 score in their opening match. It does not get any easier for coach Demba Mamadou Traoré and his charges who now face the other African club giants, Pyramids, in their second match. However the comfort of playing at home could give the hosts an edge against a Pyramids side that are heavy favorites.
The legendary Malian club will depend on their strong defense and a stronger start to keep the match close. Captain Ousmane Diallo was one of the players who escaped scrutiny with a decent performance against Espérance and the left back will be joined by young central defender Abdoulaye Sanogo as the players to watch. As for the attack, it appears that star forward Zoumana Simpara remains unavailable with an injury that has kept him out for over a month now.
Pyramids FC
DR Congo national team striker Fiston Mayele is eager to add more goals against Djoliba
Photo Credit: Pyramids FC
For a club that desperately desires more recognition, the CAF Champions League group stage draw was favorable for Pyramids who got off to a strong start against Angola's Sagrada with a 5-1 victory. Pyramids coach Krunoslav Jurčić showed plenty of respect for Djoliba and the young talent within the team, dismissing the Malian club's defeat against Espérance as something that does not diminish the ability of Djoliba. Pyramids will be without starting goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy and Egypt national team forward Ibrahim Adel for the match due to illness.
There are plenty of attacking options to find the goal despite the absence of Adel. Congolese striker Fiston Mayele will be eager to show his quality as well as Egyptian attackers Mostafa Fathi, Marwan Hamdi and Ramadan Sobhi. Fullbacks Mohamed Chibi and Mohamed Hamdi are eager to attack and will provide plenty of danger from the flanks.
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