Jurcic's mission to deliver Pyramids' greatest triumph
Egypt's Pyramids FC are on the brink of a historic breakthrough — and head coach Krunoslav Jurcic is determined to be the architect behind it.
The Croatian tactician will lead the Cairo-based club into the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday, knowing that victory would not only bring the club its first continental title but also mark a landmark moment in African football.
After a gritty 1-1 draw in Pretoria last weekend, Pyramids now return home with everything to play for.
Walid El Karti's late header at Loftus Versfeld gave Jurčić's men a priceless away goal and renewed belief ahead of the decisive leg at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo.
For Jurcic, a former Croatian national team player and seasoned coach in Europe and the Gulf, this final is an opportunity to cement his name in African football history.
No Croatian coach has ever lifted the CAF Champions League title since the days of Yugoslavians Ivan Ridanovic and Branko Zutic, who led Cameroon's Canon Yaoundé to glory in 1978 and 1980.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Jurcic urged fans to support not just Pyramids, but Egyptian football as a whole.
'We will play our usual way, and we call on the Egyptian fans to support us for the sake of football in the country, not just for Pyramids,' he said.
Under Jurcic's leadership, Pyramids have grown into serious contenders on the African stage.
Last season, they reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup, and now stand on the cusp of joining Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily as Champions League winners.
Victory would also extend Egypt's dominance in African club football, making it the first country in history to produce four different Champions League-winning clubs.
More than a title is at stake — it's a chance for Jurcic to bring long-awaited recognition to a club often seen as outsiders.
And with seasoned winners like Sherif Ekramy, Walid El Karti, and Ramadan Sobhi in the squad, Jurcic believes Pyramids have both the talent and experience to cross the final hurdle.
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