Egyptian side Pyramids may have been crowned African champions on Sunday, but head coach Krunoslav Jurcic admits the club still faces an uphill battle to establish itself as a true powerhouse at home.
Pyramids, a club that rebranded, relocated to Cairo, and earned promotion to Egypt’s top flight just seven years ago, secured their first CAF Champions League title with a 3-2 aggregate win over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. The historic victory marks only their second major trophy, following their Egyptian Cup triumph last season, and comes in just their second-ever Champions League campaign.
Despite their continental breakthrough, the club continues to operate in the long shadow of Cairo’s football giants—Al Ahly and Zamalek—who have long dominated both domestic and African football.
“When I took over last season, we played great football and went on a long winning run, but even that wasn’t enough to win the league,” said Jurcic.
“This year, we came close again, but when you’re up against Al Ahly—the best club in Africa—it’s incredibly difficult. They’re strong, consistent, and have history on their side.”
The Croatian coach was particularly moved by the support his team received during Sunday’s final, which drew 30,000 fans to the June 30 Stadium—a stark contrast to the usually sparse crowds for Pyramids’ home games. In a city where fan loyalty is largely reserved for Al Ahly and Zamalek, such backing was a rare show of encouragement.
“I’m deeply thankful for the crowd today,” Jurcic said after the 2-1 second-leg win. “Usually, we arrive at the stadium 90 minutes before kickoff and there’s no one there. It’s tough for the players. That’s why I try to bring them energy, to lift them up.”
A former Croatian international who was part of the squad that finished third at the 1998 World Cup, Jurcic showed his trademark passion on the touchline—constantly urging his players on with animated gestures throughout the match.
“I believe I can channel my energy in a way that helps the team,” he said. “And I do think we can be competitive with the best in Egypt going forward. But whether we can maintain this momentum and stay at the top remains to be seen.”
