Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates are set to clash in Johannesburg for the first leg of the African Champions League final, with Al Ahly aiming to defend their title and extend their record number of successes in the prestigious club competition. The South African side, Orlando Pirates, is seeking their second continental title, having been crowned champions in 1995 at the expense of ASEC from Abidjan.
Al Ahly, having overcome the challenge of Coton Sport in the semi-finals, acknowledges that facing Orlando Pirates will be a tough test. The Pirates achieved a notable feat by eliminating Esperance in Tunis, adding to the anticipation of a closely contested final. Al Ahly’s coach, Mohamad Youssef, emphasizes the difficulty of the upcoming match and urges his players to give their best, aiming to make the return leg more manageable.
In the semi-finals, Coton Sport held Al Ahly to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Garoua. The subsequent match also ended in a 1-1 draw, resulting in a perfect equality over the two legs. However, Al Ahly secured their spot in the final after winning a penalty shootout 7-6. The Egyptians now find themselves just two games away from another continental coronation.
Ahmad Fathi, Al Ahly’s right back, highlights the significance of reaching the final under challenging circumstances facing Egyptian football. With no local competition and the disappointment of the national team’s defeat against Ghana, the players are determined to achieve success in the Champions League.
This final marks the third encounter between Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates this season, having faced each other in the group stage. The coach emphasizes the importance of focusing on the final and leveraging the players’ experience to overcome the South African obstacle, aiming for an eighth continental title in the club’s history.
