The coach of the Egyptian Al-Ahly club, Marcel Kohler, said: “We always strive to achieve titles,” statements that came as his team prepared to begin the journey of defending its title in the African Champions League, Total Energies, against the Abidjan Stadium Club, on Tuesday. November 26.
The group stage of the 2024/2025 edition of the African Champions League, Total Energies, begins with a series of promising and exciting confrontations between the continent’s best clubs in their struggle for continental dominance..
The Egyptian club Al-Ahly takes the lead when it faces its guest, the Abidjan Stadium Club, while other heavy confrontations promise to ignite the competition. The Egyptian giant will seek to achieve its third consecutive title when it hosts the Ivorian club at the Cairo International Stadium.
Al-Ahly has not suffered a loss in its last 15 home matches in the Total Energies African Champions League, recording 13 wins. Coach Marcel Kohler emphasized the team’s ambitious mentality.
“The current edition will be very difficult as all clubs share the same ambition,” Kohler said in his pre-match press conference on Monday. “But the pressure from our fans is a positive force that pushes us to achieve the new goals.”.”
The captain of the Egyptian Al-Ahly Club, Mohamed El-Shenawy, for his part, emphasized the same spirit and ambition, saying: “Our goal is to win this title for the third time in a row. We are a generation accustomed to seeking titles and facing pressure, and we will advance step by step to achieve our ultimate goal.”.”
Abidjan Stadium coach, Alexandre Lafitte, for his part, acknowledged the great challenge facing his team, saying: “We are in a difficult group with some of the most experienced teams in Africa, but we have worked hard to prepare. Our goal is to progress and leave our mark.”.”
First group
Sudanese club Al Hilal will host its counterpart, Young Africans Club of Tanzania, as coach Florent Ibengue seeks to make a strong start in a competitive group..
At the same time, Mouloudia Algiers returns to the CAF Champions League competition, after a four-year absence, to face TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo..
The second group
A Moroccan derby between Raja Casablanca and the Royal Moroccan Army stands out at the forefront of the group’s confrontations. Moroccan club Raja, despite its fluctuating level this season, is seeking to regain its rhythm under the leadership of coach, Ricardo Sabinto.
On the other hand, the Royal Army Club relies on the experience of the coach, Hubert Velaud, to achieve excellence, taking advantage of its higher position in the Moroccan league standings..
In the other match, the South African club Mamelodi Sundowns will face its counterpart, the Manyama Union team from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in a strong confrontation.
Fourth group
Tunisian club Esperance, runner-up in the last edition, hosts Malian club Joliba, led by Romanian coach Laurent Rijkamp, who seeks to continue his club’s local brilliance..
In the same group, the Egyptian Pyramids Club will face its Angolan counterpart, the Sagrada Club, at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo, where the Egyptian club hopes to make a strong start..
CS Belouizdad meets Orlando Pirates
The third group includes, in another match, A decisive confrontation between Algeria’s CS Belouizdad and South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, as both teams seek to achieve an ideal start in their quest to qualify for the advanced stages of the competition.
