Portuguese coach Jaime Pacheco, currently managing Pyramids FC, has acknowledged the challenge his team will face in their upcoming match against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The clash, scheduled for Sunday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, marks the third round of the group stage in the CAF Champions League. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, Pacheco highlighted the formidable status of Sundowns, hailing them as one of Africa’s premier clubs.
Having recently secured the African League championship, Sundowns boasts exceptional players, a proficient coaching staff, and remarkable capabilities. Pacheco stressed the difficulty of the forthcoming encounter and expressed Pyramids’ determination to secure victory and three crucial points, propelling them further in the competition.
Pacheco emphasized extensive preparation, thoroughly analyzing the opposition and rallying his players to give their best on the training ground.
The coach expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome the challenge posed by Sundowns and reiterated their focus on claiming a positive result in Pretoria.
He asserted that Pyramids has overcome any lingering effects from their previous match against Nouadhibou in Mauritania, redirecting their attention towards a successful outcome against Sundowns and progressing in the tournament.
Addressing the absence of key striker Fiston Mayele, who was unable to obtain a visa to enter South Africa, Pacheco voiced disappointment in the situation.
He highlighted the efforts made by Pyramids’ management to resolve the visa issue, underlying the need for clear regulations governing players’ access to permits and visas, independent of personal discretion.
Pacheco humorously suggested that the official responsible for preventing Mayele’s travel might be a Sundowns supporter.
Pacheco acknowledged Mayele’s significance within the team, describing him as a leading contender for the coveted title of the continent’s best player in the past year.
His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but Pacheco expressed faith in his squad’s ability to compensate for the numerous absences they have faced recently.
Reflecting on the team’s recent loss to Nouadhibou, Pacheco maintained that the result did not accurately reflect Pyramids’ performance and control during the game.
Despite statistical dominance and the opponent capitalizing on two mistakes, the team faced challenges due to the poor pitch conditions.
Pacheco emphasized the team’s current focus on achieving a positive result in South Africa and bouncing back from the recent setback. Pacheco highlighted the rapid rise of Pyramids FC in Egyptian football, positioning themselves as formidable competitors alongside giants like Al Ahly and Zamalek, despite the club’s relatively short existence of fewer than five years.
Acknowledging the unwavering support and resources provided by the club’s management, Pacheco commended their sustainable development plan, which has propelled Pyramids to become one of the continent’s most prominent clubs. Currently, Pyramids holds the second position in the fiercely competitive Egyptian League for the past two seasons, with aspirations to progress further in the Champions League and secure future successes.
