Esperance coach Laurentiu Reghecampf has downplayed the impact of injuries in his squad, asserting the strength of his team ahead of their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group D showdown against Pyramids FC on Saturday.
The Romanian tactician emphasized that his side’s resilience is rooted in their collective strength, despite the absence of key midfielder Yan Sass due to injury.
“We are a big team, and things should not stop because of the absence of just one player,” Reghecampf told reporters in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
The coach acknowledged the need for improvement following their disappointing draw against Sagrada Esperança in their previous group stage encounter.
“We have analyzed the last match, and while there are no excuses, we are ready to perform better in front of our fans,” he added.
Across the aisle, Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurčić praised Esperance’s experience but also spoke confidently about his team’s chances.
“Esperance is a strong competitor with long-standing success in African football, but Pyramids, though new, were born great,” Jurcic said.
He highlighted his team’s determination to take all three points despite the challenges posed by their Tunisian hosts and the anticipated large crowd at Radès.
Jurčić revealed that while some players had recovered from illnesses picked up during their last match in Mali, Nigerian forward Sadiq Igola remains unavailable for selection due to registration delays.
“Even without him, we are fully focused and ready to deliver a performance that matches the significance of this encounter,” the Croatian tactician explained.
Pyramids’ experienced goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawy also weighed in, acknowledging the strength of Esperance’s attack but expressing confidence in his team.
“We respect their quality, but we believe in our ability. The key will be to stay focused for the full 90 minutes,” he said.
As the two sides, level on four points, battle for supremacy in Group D, both coaches stressed preparation, discipline, and mental toughness as crucial factors.
With Esperance’s unbeaten home record and Pyramids’ ambitions for continental glory, Saturday’s clash promises to be a captivating encounter.
