The decision by Pyramids FC’s technical staff to leave Moroccan international Mohamed El Sheibi out of the squad travelling to Nigeria has sparked widespread debate among the club’s supporters ahead of the CAF Champions League encounter against Rivers United.
Pyramids departed Cairo for the Nigerian city of Uyo on a special chartered flight arranged by the club’s management, as preparations intensify for Sunday’s Group A fixture at the Godswell Akpabio Stadium. Croatian head coach Krunoslav Jurcic opted to name a reduced squad of just 19 players for the trip, a choice that immediately drew attention.
El Sheibi’s absence was the most striking omission, particularly given his importance in Pyramids’ defensive setup. The surprise was compounded by the exclusion of Congolese forward Fiston Mayele, a decision that leaves the Egyptian side traveling with only one natural striker for the crucial continental outing.
Sources close to the club have indicated that El Sheibi’s exclusion is purely precautionary. The technical staff reportedly decided to grant the Moroccan defender a period of rest to prevent physical fatigue amid a congested fixture schedule and mounting competitive demands.
This approach has been influenced by Pyramids’ strong position in the group and their proximity to securing qualification for the quarter-finals.
Pyramids currently sit top of Group A with 10 points, buoyed by their recent victory over Renaissance Berkane. Rivers United, by contrast, occupy the bottom of the group with just one point, a gap that has afforded the coaching staff greater flexibility to rotate key players and manage workloads.
Even so, El Sheibi’s absence from such a high-profile continental fixture remains notable. Attention will now turn to his expected return as Pyramids approach a decisive stretch of the season in both the CAF Champions League and the Egyptian domestic title race.
