Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has made it clear that their presence in Egypt is not for leisure but for a serious mission: to secure a spot in the CAF Champions League final.

The Buccaneers are set to face a formidable Pyramids side in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash at the 30 June Stadium on Friday at 21:00.

The tie hangs in the balance after a goalless draw in the first leg played last week in South Africa.

Pyramids and Pirates are on the verge of a decisive showdown in Cairo on Friday night, with a coveted place in the Champions League final up for grabs.

Following a tightly contested 0-0 draw in the first leg at FNB Stadium, the semi-final remains delicately poised as they head into the second leg in Cairo. Both teams will need to dig deep to break the deadlock and secure their passage to the final.

The Egyptian outfit will be looking to maintain their formidable home record. Pyramids have been dominant on their own turf in the Champions League this season, winning all four of their home fixtures, scoring an impressive 17 goals while only conceding three.

They also boast an incredible 22-match unbeaten run at home across all competitions – a statistic that could prove crucial in such a high-stakes encounter.

However, they will need to find a way past a resilient Pirates defense that has not conceded a goal in the competition since the group stages. The South African giants have been equally impressive on their travels, securing three wins and a draw in their four away games, and they will arrive in Cairo full of confidence.

“We are at the stage where all teams in this competition are strong contenders,” stated Ncikazi.

“We are here for one purpose only – to earn the opportunity to play in the final. Our preparations are solely focused on achieving that. We acknowledge that Pyramids are a good team, but we are equally prepared to seize the opportunity to reach the final. That is the sole aim of our preparation.”

In the other Champions League semi-final, the tie between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly is also locked in a goalless stalemate after their first-leg encounter in Pretoria last weekend.

Ahly will host Sundowns at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday at 18:00, with the South African side aiming to make further history in CAF club competitions by potentially having two South African teams reach the Champions League final.

It is already a historic achievement to have two South African clubs in the semi-finals of the Champions League.