CAIRO — African football’s most storied rivalry takes centre stage as Egyptian giants Al-Ahly will open their CAF Champions League quarter-final first-leg on Sunday, March 15, away at Esperance Sportive de Tunis in Rades.
The encounter at Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades promises to be one of the marquee fixtures of the quarter-final round, bringing together two of the most decorated clubs in African football in a high-stakes continental showdown, cafonline.com reported.
Both sides enter the clash with clear ambitions. Esperance are determined to settle old scores following their defeat to Al-Ahly in the 2023/24 final, while the Egyptian champions aim to reaffirm their continental supremacy and take another step toward extending their remarkable legacy.
With the tie set to unfold over two legs, a strong result in the opening encounter could prove pivotal as both giants battle for a coveted place in the semi-finals and keep their quest for continental glory firmly on track.
The first-leg will be played in front of what is expected to be a packed crowd in Rades, where Esperance supporters are known for creating one of the most intense atmospheres in African football.
Encounters between the Tunisian and Egyptian giants rarely disappoint, with their meetings often characterised by high intensity, tactical battles and passionate support from both sets of fans.
The familiarity between the two clubs adds another dimension to the contest. Esperance and Al-Ahly have faced each other repeatedly in the CAF Champions League over the years, making their rivalry one of the most recognisable on the continent.
Their last meeting came in the final of the 2023/24 competition, when Al-Ahly lifted the trophy after securing a narrow 1-0 aggregate victory across the two legs.
Road to quarter-finals
Both teams reached the knockout stage after strong performances in the group phase.
Esperance finished second in Group D with nine points, behind Stade Malien, securing their place in the quarter-finals after a consistent campaign.
Al-Ahly, meanwhile, topped Group B with ten points, once again demonstrating their strength and experience in Africa’s premier club competition.
The Cairo-based side’s ability to navigate difficult group-stage fixtures has long been one of their trademarks in continental football.
Historical advantage for Al-Ahly
History favours the Egyptian side in this famous rivalry.
Across 24 meetings in the CAF Champions League, Al-Ahly has recorded 11 victories compared to four wins for Esperance, with nine matches ending in draws.
The two teams have met in no fewer than 11 different editions of the competition since their first encounter in 1990, including memorable battles in 2001, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2021 and the most recent final in 2024.
