RADES, Tunisia — Record 11-time winners Al-Ahly of Egypt finished preparations in readiness for their clash against Esperance of Tunisia in the CAF Champions League final first-leg set to take place at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi on Saturday at 10:00pm Cairo Local Time.
Al-Ahly has won 10 and drawn eight of their 22 meetings in the continental competition since first clashing 34 years ago, and are appearing in a record fifth straight final.
But while the Cairo Red Devils are favourites to lift the trophy a record-extending 12th time after an unbeaten 12-game march to the title decider, Esperance has also impressed.
The Blood and Gold are back in the final for the first time since completing back-to-back Champions League triumphs in 2019 and, like Ahly, boast a formidable defence.
“Every Champions League opponent raises their game against Ahly. We are the most successful club in Africa so everybody wants to beat us,” Al-Ahly Swiss coach Marcel Koller said according to AFP.
The second-leg of the final is scheduled to be held at the Cairo International Stadium on May 25.
Al-Ahly has won 24 African titles in four competitions, 13 more than their closest rivals, compatriots Zamalek and TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Both finalists have kept 11 clean sheets in 12 qualifying, group and knockout matches, with goalkeepers Moustafa Shobeir of Ahly and Amanallah Memmiche of Esperance the unexpected stars.
A son of former Ahly goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir, Mostafa was promoted after captain Mohamed el-Shenawy suffered a shoulder injury during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
Shobeir rose to the occasion and has not conceded in six Champions League matches, leaving Koller with a selection headache.
Does he continue with Shobeir or recall fit-again El-Shenawy after both were included in a 23-man squad
For Al-Ahly, the challenge is clear — maintains their remarkable levels of consistency on Africa’s biggest stage by getting the better of their old foes from across the Mediterranean.
Esperance began this Champions League campaign with veteran goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia captaining the side, but he has dropped to the bench with 20-year-old Memmiche preferred.
Promoted when a teenager, Memmiche has not conceded in his last eight Champions League matches as Esperance seek a fifth title.
Where Ahly have a clear advantage over Esperance is scoring, netting 19 goals en route to the final compared with a meagre nine by their rivals.
There have been contributions from 11 players to the Ahly total with Hussein el-Shahat (five) and Mahmoud Kahraba (four) the leading scorers.
Despite topping the Champions League goals chart, however, El-Shahat was an unused substitute in the 3-0 semifinal, second-leg victory over Mazembe.
South African winger Percy Tau will hope to add to his solitary goal in the African campaign this season.
A returnee to the Ahly squad is Mali midfielder Aliou Dieng, back in contention after a three-month absence due to a knee injury.
Esperance coach Miguel Cardoso said that reaching the final is the “biggest achievement of my career”. He previously struggled at clubs in France, Spain, Greece and his native Portugal.
He took over this January after two Tunisians, 2018 and 2019 Champions League winner Mouin Chaabani and Tarek Thabet, had short spells in charge.
Yan Sasse, plucked from the obscurity of Wellington Phoenix reserves in New Zealand, has scored three Champions League goals, but fellow Brazilian Rodrigo Rodrigues has yet to get off the mark.
Other potential starters include centre-back Mohamed Tougai and winger Houssam Ghacha from Algeria and Togo midfielder Roger Aholou.
All the ingredients are there for a final of the highest quality to crown the new kings of African football.
Meanwhile, Ahead of blockbuster line-up that sees Africa’s top clubs battle for the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Champions League top honours, the CAF has unveiled a new match ball: OLA.
OLA will be used on Saturday in Tunis when Esperance hosts Al-Ahly in the first-leg of the CAF Champions League Final and on Sunday when Zamalek hosts RS Berkane in the second-leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final at the Cairo International Stadium.
“OLA,” which means “wealth,” “honour,” and “respect” in Yoruba, and “rise” and “success” in Arabic, was chosen to symbolize the dynamic and energetic nature of African football.
Embodying the spirit of Africa, Ola’s design is inspired by the continent’s vibrant colours, art, and traditions.
