CAF Champions League: Krunoslav Jurcic reflects on Pyramids FC’s win and potential Al Ahly clash

Pyramids FC head coach Krunoslav Jurcic has opened up on what it might have been like facing Egyptian giants Al Ahly instead of Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League final.

The Sky Blues secured their maiden CAF Champions League title in the 2024/25 season, overcoming the South African side 3-2 on aggregate.

After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Tshwane, Pyramids clinched victory with a 2-1 win in Cairo. The triumph was followed by a CAF Super Cup success, as they edged RS Berkane 1-0.

In an interview, Jurcic suggested that a showdown with the 12-time Champions League winners could have posed an even greater challenge than facing Miguel Cardoso’s Sundowns.

Masandawana had eliminated Al Ahly in the semi-finals, but Jurcic believes that confronting Egypt’s domestic powerhouse would have been a tougher test.

“When I took over as Pyramids coach, I found a group of players who were highly motivated to perform at an outstanding level, and they helped us, as a technical staff, to clearly change the nature and style of the club,” Jurcic said per Yalla Kora.

“Al Ahly is a great team, and it would have been a very tough opponent had they qualified for the CAF Champions League final instead of Sundowns. I have the utmost respect and appreciation for them.

“I thank all the fans who supported us in the CAF Champions League final.

“It was an amazing feeling when we saw fans wearing Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily jerseys supporting us. We felt like we were playing on behalf of all of Egypt, not just Pyramids,” he added.