Visiting Egyptian Premier League side, Pyramids FC picked a slim 1-0 win against El Merriekh SC Bentiu in the first leg second round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Mahmoud Saber netted the lone goal from inside the box after 30 minutes at the Juba National Stadium on October 16^th.

El Merriekh SC Bentiu cheered on by the home fans pushed forward in search of goals and created some decent chances against the 2024/2025 African champions.

After 80 minutes El Merreikh SC Bentiu thought they would get a penalty after a foul in the box, but the referee failed to call it as players surrounded him.

With the clock ticking away Pyramids FC defender Mahmoud Marei was sent off after picking a second booking in the 89th minute. Pal Paul Puok, the El Merriekh SC Bentiu captain said that they still have a chance in Egypt. “We shall go back to the drawing board and prepare for the return leg,” added the captain.

That return leg will be played on October 24th at the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo. The winner over two legs will qualify for the group stage

The captain of El Merriekh SC Bentiu, Pal Paul Puok has made it clear that they are ready and determined to face Pyramids FC in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

El Merriekh SC Bentiu will hosts the Egyptian side in the first leg second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Friday at the Juba National Stadium.

Puok made it clear that Pyramids is a big team and facing them will be a great opportunity. “It is always good to face big teams like Pyramids, but we are not worried about them,” added the captain.

He called upon all South Sudan Football loving people to come in big numbers and support El Merriekh SC Bentiu. “We shall need all the support to be motivated as we face Pyramids FC,” added Puok.

Godfrey Oduor, the El Merriekh SC Bentiu assistant coach also made it clear that the team is well prepared for the encounter.

“We shall need a lot of support from the stands to motivate the players to perform well,” added Oduor.

The winner between El Merriekh SC Bentiu and Pyramids FC over two legs will advance to the group stage.

Egyptian Premier League side Pyramids FC have arrived in Juba ahead of a 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League tie.

South Sudan giants El Merriekh SC Bentiu will host Pyramids FC in the second preliminary round of the competition at the Juba National Stadium in Juba on Friday.

El Merriekh SC Bentiu eliminated Somalia’s Heegan FC 4-0 on aggregate in the first preliminary round, while Pyramids FC saw off Kenya’s Gor Mahia 7-1 on aggregate.

While El Merriekh SC Bentiu are making their second appearance in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, Pyramids FC lifted the trophy in the 2024/2025 edition beating Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa) in the final.