Coach Jurcic: ‘Pyramids will not release players for domestic national teams — only senior sides’

Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic, manager of Pyramids FC, stressed the importance and difficulty of the match against Nigeria’s Rivers United in the opening of the CAF Champions League group stage.

In the pre-match press conference, Jurcic said:
“Pyramids succeeded in reaching the top and has now become the best in the continent. As is known, reaching the summit is difficult, but staying there is much harder. Therefore, we have a tough mission ahead of us to remain at the top this season. Our goal has always been to win all our matches and compete for every title.”

He added during the press conference:
“I have great confidence in the group we have. This is the team that won all the titles last season and at the start of the current season. We play every match to win, and this is important. Our motivation is always renewed in order to win all the championships and stay at the top of African football.”

The Croatian coach also spoke about the team’s absences:
“There are absences such as Ramadan Sobhi, Osama Galal, and Mostafa Fathi due to injury, in addition to the late return of Mohamed Chibi and Fiston Mayele after the CAF Awards. The pair will only train today before tomorrow’s important match — the group stage opener in the Champions League. But in the end, we will play with full strength to win.”

Regarding his position on Walid El Karti joining Morocco’s second national team in the Arab Cup, Jurcic said:
“Pyramids’ stance is clear. The club does not have players available for domestic national teams. We only approve call-ups for the first national team and during the international calendar. Pyramids is the champion of Africa, and its players deserve to play for the senior national teams.”

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