Pyramids FC will be banking on home ground advantage when they host Orlando Pirates in Friday’s CAF Champions League semifinal second-leg clash at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

CURRENT FORM

The Egyptian side extended their winless run to four matches across all competitions when they drew 0-0 with Pirates in the first-leg encounter in Soweto on 19 April and it was their second draw in their four games.

However, Pyramids are undefeated at home in this season’s Champions League, having registered one draw against FC Nouadhibou in the preliminary round, before recording six successive victories.

Meanwhile, Pirates stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches across all competitions when they drew with Pyramids at home and it was their second draw in their last four matches.

The South African giants are the only unbeaten side remaining in this season’s Champions League, having registered five draws and eight wins, while also winning each of their last two away games in the competition.

The winner between semifinal debutants, Pyramids, and 1995 winners, Pirates, on aggregate or penalties, will take on either Al Ahly or Mamelodi Sundowns in the two-legged final on 24 May and 1 June.

TEAM NEWS

Pyramids attacker Ibrahim Adel is reportedly set to undergo a fitness test after missing the team’s last four matches due to an injury, having scored six goals in this season’s Champions League.

Pirates, on the other hand, have Olisa Ndah, Thabiso Sesane, Thabiso Monyane and Thabiso Lebitso on the club’s injury list, and they are expected to miss the game against Pyramids.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Pyramids head coach Krunoslav Jurčić

“I haven’t started thinking about the second leg yet,” Jurčić said.

“But we can improve by converting the chances we created, and we are capable of scoring goals. These are the hallmarks of big teams.

“I think we can improve in that aspect. If we can repeat a performance like we did on Saturday, I believe we have a strong chance of reaching the final.”

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro

“Everything is still open for a good football game. I think it was definitely not a zero game,” Riveiro said.

“Both teams were looking for a goal that could give us a little bit more of an advantage for the second leg, but it’s a semifinal of the Champions League.

“It is proof that we are a good team; they have a good team. It’s going to be an open second leg, and again, just now recovering and ready to go.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Pyramids and Pirates will be meeting for the second time following their recent clash, which ended in a stalemate at the Orlando Stadium.