Pyramids FC head coach Krunoslav Jurcic has criticised the lack of support from Egyptian football authorities and fans against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League.
The Sky Blues played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Sundowns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, with the second leg set for June 1 in Cairo.
Ahead of the return game leg, Jurcic criticised the Egyptian Premier League’s refusal to postpone Pyramids’ upcoming domestic clash against Ceramica Cleopatra, scheduled for May 28.
Pyramids have been desperately requesting that the match against Cleopatra be postponed in order for them to focus on Downs. However, their plea has seemingly been rejected.
Jurcic has now argued that the fixture threatens to derail his team’s focus and preparation for the crucial continental showdown.
“Pyramids FC does not receive any support from anyone in Egypt and is fighting alone, despite representing Egypt in the most important tournament on the continent,” Jurcic said, per Aboutmsr.com.
“In just 48 hours, we have to head to Ismailia for a decisive match that will determine the league title against Ceramica Cleopatra.
“The starting line-ups must play in this match due to its importance. It would have been better to support Pyramids in the continental final.”
Pyramids sporting director Hani Saeed echoed Jurcic’s sentiments, suggesting that double standards are at play. He insisted that had Al Ahly or Zamalek reached the final, things would have been different.
“What is the purpose of the association’s existence? Is it just to be like the foreign leagues,” asked Said, according to the above-mentioned publication.
“If Al Ahly or Zamalek had played instead of Pyramids, neither would have played a match between the two CAF Champions League finals.
“My problem is not with Al-Ahly or Zamalek, but with those responsible for football in Egypt,” he added.
“When the league schedule was set, no one imagined that Pyramids would reach the Champions League final.”
Pyramids’ growing frustration comes at a time when they are chasing their first-ever CAF Champions League title, a feat that would make them only the third Egyptian club to lift the prestigious trophy.
