Jamie Pacheco, the head coach of Pyramids, emphasized his commitment to providing psychological support to the players in the coming period after securing the third position in the Egyptian Super Cup for Champions Clubs.
Pyramids secured the third position and the bronze medal in the Egyptian Super Cup for Champions Clubs by defeating Ceramica Cleopatra 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the original time ended in a 1-1 draw.
During the press conference, Pacheco stated, “The stress had a significant impact on the players, leading us to make numerous adjustments to the team’s lineup.
The four teams showcased strong performances throughout the tournament, and unfortunately, we didn’t clinch the title, but we played for it.”
“The team consists of 28 players whom I trust entirely.
In the absence of players due to injuries, the decision was made to field those who don’t participate frequently.
I trust the new talents and the additions to the team’s roster, but there were some difficulties due to the speed of the match,” he added.
Pacheco stressed, “Ceramica is a strong team, playing exceptionally well in all their matches.
It was natural for them to shine, especially in the second half. The Egyptian league now boasts players and clubs at an excellent level.
Pyramids dominated the entire first half, and after regaining focus, the team became more cohesive.
With the players’ strong determination, we managed to secure the victory in the end.”
“The loss against Modern Future was a very bad psychological scenario for the players and everyone involved.
We went through tough moments before the Ceramica match, and in the end, we won.
The players must be given a break to regain their physical and mental fitness and perform better in the upcoming period,” he continued.
Pacheco further explained, “I met with the players and urged them to overcome the negative psychological state, focus on the Ceramica match, and ensure a moral victory before the long break for the Egyptian league in the next phase.”
“I will work on giving the players some rest and returning to training with better morale and greater readiness.
With many commitments ahead, proper preparation is essential,” he added.
“After a year with Pyramids, I know well that there is a lot of pressure on the players, and hence, we lose championships in decisive stages.
I will work on finding a better way to deal psychologically with the players in the next phase,” Pacheco concluded.
Both teams settled for a penalty shootout with each team taking five penalties, this time following the previous marathon between Pyramids and Modern Future, which lasted for 34 penalty kicks.
Pyramids will receive a prize of $75,000, while Ceramica will take home $50,000, the monetary awards for the championship.
