Preview: Ahly, Pyramids FC set for tense finale in Egyptian Premier League - Egyptian Football
The Egyptian Premier League title race will go down to the wire on Wednesday, with leaders Ahly and second-placed Pyramids FC both in action on the final matchday of the season.
The two heavyweights are separated by just a couple of points after seven games in the playoffs.
For Ahly, who top the table with 55 points, the mission is set to be simple: their destiny is in their own hands when they take on Pharco FC.
The defending champions leapfrogged Pyramids FC in the final stretch of the competition, benefiting from Pyramids' back-to-back defeats against Pharco and NBE Club.
If Ahly secure a home victory over seventh-placed Pharco, they will be crowned Egyptian champions for the second consecutive season—and the 45th time in the club's history.
However, a loss could open the door for Pyramids FC, who face a tough task against Ceramica Cleopatra.
The rising powerhouse of Egyptian football has no option but to beat Ceramica and hope that Ahly lose, in order to have a chance of clinching their first domestic crown.
Wednesday's match poses a real dilemma for Pyramids FC. While it's crucial for their league hopes, the club also faces a vital appointment on Sunday 1st June, in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns.
After securing a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria, the club requested a postponement of Wednesday's game from the Egyptian Pro League, but their request was rejected.
Reports suggest that coach Krunoslav Jurčić may field a second-string side against Ceramica, though no official confirmation has been made.
Ceramica, for their part, are a tough opponent and are expected to fight fiercely as they bid for fourth place, which would earn them a spot in next season's CAF Confederation Cup.
Elsewhere on the final day, fourth-placed Masry (39 points) take on bottom side Haras El-Hodoud, while sixth-placed NBE Club (37 points) face Petrojet.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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