The African Champions League title will not leave the continent’s northern teams for the eighth consecutive season, when reigning champions Egypt’s Al-Ahly and hosts Tunisia’s Esperance clash on Saturday at Hammadi. Al-Aqrabi Stadium in Radès during the first leg of a “classic final” of the competition. The ‘Ghoul of Africa’ will look to take precedence over the ‘Club of the Century’ ahead of the second leg in Cairo, while the Egyptian Club will seek a result that will make the second leg easier. This is the third final between the two teams, following 2012, when Al-Ahly won 3-2 on aggregate, and 2018, when Esperance overcame a 1-3 deficit in Cairo and won imposed 3-0 in Radès.
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Esperance of Tunis – Al-Ahly of Egypt has become a classic clash in the different rounds of the African Champions League, especially in the last decade, the two teams will face each other in the third final since 2012 at the “Stade Rades.” » in the southern suburbs of the Tunisian capital.
Al-Ahly is looking for its fourth title in the last five editions and the twelfth record in its history, while Esperance is aiming for its fifth title and its first since 2019.
The final between the Egyptian and Tunisian giants will repeat for the third time, following 2012, when Al-Ahly won 3-2 on aggregate, and 2018, when Esperance overcame a 1-3 deficit in Cairo and won 3-3 in Radès. 0, to win his third title.
Al-Ahly will compete in the final for the fifth consecutive time (a record) and the seventeenth in its history, proving its specialization in continental competition.
The “Red Devils” came at the top of their group, then ousted the Tanzanian Simba in the quarter-finals (1-0, 2-0) and surpassed the Congolese Mazembe in the semi-final (0-0, 3-0 ).
On the other hand, the journey of the “Bab Souika” team was difficult, since it finished second in its group behind the Angolan Peters Atletico, then eliminated the Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas in the quarter-finals at the penalties after a goalless draw in both matches, and in the semi-final he shocked Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and ousted them by beating them throughout with a score of 1-0.
Historically, the two teams have faced each other 24 times. The Red Giants have won 12 matches, Esperance only four times, and they have tied 8 times.
A solid defense for the “Ghoul of Africa”
Esperance, led by their Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso, are looking to repeat the result against Sundowns, who were an extraordinary candidate to win the title, especially after opening the season with the African League title.
The team relies on its strong defense, led by Algerians Mohamed Togay and Yacine Meriah, and behind them is brilliant goalkeeper Aman Allah Mamish.
Esperance have kept a clean sheet in 11 out of 12 matches (losing to Al Hilal of Sudan 1-3), as they play in a balanced manner that relies on closing their zone and narrowing spaces, particularly against attacking teams.
The “Sang et Or” team relies offensively on the Brazilians Yann Sass and Rodrigo Rodriguez, the Algerian pivotal midfielder Houssem Ghecha, the veteran Ghilan Chaalali and the Togolese Roger Aholo, as well as the full-backs Mohamed Ben Ali and Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida . .
Cardoso described Esperance’s qualification for the final as “the greatest achievement of my career”. Regarding the final, he said: “Caution will be required against Al-Ahly, who are experienced in tournaments and know how to win them.”
The Portuguese coach added: “We know very well the difficulty of returning to Cairo Stadium, because it is always full of Al-Ahly fans.”
In turn, defender Meriah said in radio statements: “We must be present mentally and physically, because Al-Ahly is a great team that has its own traditions in this tournament, and Esperance also has a great story, and I hope we do. be the most focused.
Espérance will also plan to increase the number of its supporters from 27,000 to 34,000 spectators after authorization from the authorities.
Century Club expects positive result from Rades
Getting a positive result in the first leg is what Al-Ahly is aiming for ahead of the second leg in Cairo. However, the red team is fully aware that the match will be difficult as they have experienced the atmosphere of Radès several times, notably in the 2018 final. Despite this, the Egyptian team is considered the most likely to win the title.
Swiss coach Marcel Koller, who is aiming for his second consecutive title with the team, emphasized: “Every competitor in the Champions League raises the level of their match against Al-Ahly. We are the most successful club in Africa, so everyone wants it. win against us.
Kohler (he took over in September 2022) will oversee the team in the 100th game in various tournaments.
Like the young goalkeeper Mamish, a young talent shines in the Al-Ahly goalkeeper, namely Mustafa Ahmed Schubert, who took responsibility following the absence of the giant Mohamed El-Shenawy due to injury, and devoted to the starting eleven, as he did not do so. conceding a goal in six continental matches this season.
While Esperance was superior defensively, the Egyptian team had a solid offensive line, as they scored 19 goals en route to the final, compared to just nine for Esperance.
11 players scored Al-Ahly’s goals, including Hussein Al-Shahat (5) and Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” (4).
Kohler’s squad will be almost complete with the return of Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng, who will complete the “Red Vanilla”, which also includes Palestinian striker Wissam Abu Ali, French veteran Anthony Modest and Al-Shahat ou the Moroccan Reda Slim.
In defense, we count on Tunisian veteran Ali Maaloul, Mohamed Abdel Moneim, Rami Rabia and Mohamed Hani.
Rabiaa told the club’s website: “Espérance and Al-Ahly are two big teams, so the confrontation is difficult, but we are looking to win in Tunisia in order to make it easier to face the second leg.”
As for his colleague Al-Shahat, he confirmed the team’s availability to play both matches and added: “It is usual that we face Esperance in the final rounds, but we will not play for a draw , we will play for a draw. win, with all our respect for Hope.
France 24/AFP
