Record African champions Al Ahly will be looking to dominate Stade d’Abidjan in their CAF Champions League group stage opener.
Current holders Al Ahly will launch their 2024/2025 CAF Champions League group stage campaign with a face-off against Côte d’Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Red Eagles12-time continental champions, are widely regarded as the favorites in this encounter given their pedigree and formidable squad depth.
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Stade d’Abidjan, in contrast, arrive as underdogs with a storied but faded history having last claimed the African title in 1966.
While Stade d’Abidjan fought valiantly to reach this stage their path to the group phase exposed several vulnerabilities.
They narrowly edged out Senegal’s Teungueth in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 aggregate draw and only managed a slim 3-2 aggregate victory over Guinea’s Milo in the final preliminary round.
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With these struggles in mind, the Ivorian side faces an uphill battle against an Ahly team hungry to secure their 13th CAF Champions League title.
“It would be a huge challenge to face a big team like Ahly,” admitted Stade d’Abidjan coach Alexandre Lafitte in a pre-match press conference.
“Ahly are the Real Madrid of Africa.”
Lafitte’s acknowledgement of the Red Eagles’ stature underscores the massive task his side faces.
Yet, Stade d’Abidjan will aim to defy the odds and leave a mark in their first group stage appearance in decades.
Ahly, led by Swiss coach Marcel Koller are looking to make a statement following a mixed domestic showing.
The Cairo giants recently stumbled in a league encounter against Ittihad of Alexandria, where a misfiring attack led to a disappointing 0-0 draw.
Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ Abdel-Moneam, the primary substitute for injured striker Wessam Abou Ali, failed to deliver in that game.
Some of the players who have been part of the squad in previous matches are missing as Odemba reshapes Starlets.
However, Koller is optimistic about the team’s prospects, particularly highlighting the form of wingers Taher Mohamed and Hussein El-Shehat.
“We anticipate a challenging match against a talented opponent with skilled players in their ranks,” Koller emphasized.
“Backed by our supporters, we are ready to secure a victory against Stade d’Abidjan.”
Ahly fans are expected to turn out in large numbers to propel their team to a winning start.
The Red Eagles are determined to avoid any slip-ups in a group that includes Algeria’s Belouizdad and South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, two sides capable of springing surprises.
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Beyond Group C, the opening matchday of the CAF Champions League features intriguing fixtures across the continent.
In Group B, South African powerhouses Mamelodi Sundowns are set to take on Maniema Union at Loftus Versfeld, while Congolese giants TP Mazembe host Algeria’s MC Alger in a Group A clash.
Meanwhile, Young Africans and Al-Hilal will meet at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in what promises to be a thrilling Group A clash.
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