JS Kabylie returns to continental competition against Al Ahly

After two years away from continental football, JS Kabylie makes a determined comeback in the CAF Champions League, kicking off Group B action with a tense North African derby against Egypt’s powerhouse Al Ahly.

While MC Alger stumbled in their opening match, losing in Kigali, JS Kabylie faces an equally demanding task as they meet Al-Ahly in Cairo.

Currently sixth in the Algerian Ligue 1, but with three games in hand, JS Kabylie has a squad nearly at full strength. Led by German coach Josef Zinnbauer, the team is ready to challenge Al Ahly, who themselves progressed past Burundi’s Aigle Noir in the previous round.

The “Canaries” have just returned from a tough away defeat against CS Constantine but benefit from a deep squad, giving Zinnbauer plenty of options for this crucial clash.

Tunisian referee Mahrez Malki will oversee the match, assisted by Aymen Ismaïl and Merouane Saâd. Meanwhile, the other Group B fixture features Tanzania’s Young Africans against Morocco’s FAR Rabat.

Only the top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals, raising the stakes for every match.