Pyramids might play next Egypt Capital Cup game with youth team due to scheduling crisis

Photo credit: Pyramids FC

Hani Said, the Sporting Director of Egyptian side Pyramids FC, revealed that the most likely direction the club will play with its youth team in the match against Haras El Hodoud in the final round of the Egypt Capital Cup group stage.

This comes after the Clubs Association (Egyptian Professional League) refused to postpone the game despite the club’s involvement in the CAF Champions League.

Speaking to the club’s media center, the Sporting Director said:

“It seems that the Clubs Association is not keen on the success of its own competition because of the scheduling decisions it has made. They do not want Pyramids to play with its full squad in order to increase the level of competition. The insistence on these dates without considering the commitments of clubs competing continentally is harmful to the tournament and makes it impossible for the first team to participate.”

He added: “How can it make sense that the Association schedules the match between Pyramids and Haras El Hodoud at 7 PM (5 PM GMT) on April 16 at Haras El Hodoud Stadium, while the team is due to play the first leg of the CAF Champions League semifinal against Orlando Pirates in South Africa just 48 hours later — on Saturday, April 19 in Johannesburg — with a 10-hour flight in between?”

Hani Said stressed that the Clubs Association must be more considerate toward the success of its competition by setting match dates that suit the clubs and encourage them to participate with their first teams.

He emphasized that the current schedule harms Egypt’s representation in the CAF Champions League refering that he had hoped the Association would support Pyramids in the Champions League by adjusting or postponing the match date.

However, the decision was to reject the postponement and insist on what he described as an entirely illogical schedule.

Egypt Capital Cup – Group D Standings before the final round:

1. Haras El Hodoud – 6 points

2. Pyramids – 4 points

3. Ismaily – 1 point

4. Ittihad of Alexandria – 0 points

Pyramids currently lead the Nile Egyptian League table with 44 points, four ahead of Al Ahly.

They have also reached the Egypt Cup final, where they will face Zamalek on a date yet to be confirmed. Additionally, they are competing in the CAF Champions League semi-finals.

All signs point to a highly successful season so far for Pyramids FC.