Seven-time winners of the CAF Champions League and current Cup holders, Al-Ahyl of Egypt will today, be aiming for an unprecedented eight title in the money-spinning tournament when they confront South African giants, Orlando Pirates, in the second leg of the most important club competition in the continent, to determine who wins the prized trophy this year.
The match that will be played at the Arab Contractors Stadium in Cairo is unarguably the biggest game on the African club football calendar. Ahly will be seeking to win their first back-to-back titles since 2005 and 2006 seasons, while Pirates will be looking forward to win the trophy for the second time having won it once in 1995.
It will be the fourth meeting between the two sides this year; with Pirates being the better side, thanks to a 3-0 win over their hosts at the group phase at the Red Sea Resort of El Gouna, Egypt. Ahly have since recovered from that defeat, recording an unbeaten run in the remaining games on their way to the final.
The Cairo-based club is favourites when it comes to experience at this level of the competition, with veterans such as Aboutreika, Wael Gomaa, Ahmed Fathy, Sherif Ekramy among others, inspiring them to the final.
However, the South Africans are probably a most-improved side in the campaign with a blend of youth and experience with players such as Andile Jali, Daine Klate, goalkeeper Senyo Meyiwa and Tlou Segolela creating waves locally and internationally.
On paper, the Egyptians seems to have an edge over their South African opponents considering that the first leg a fortnight ago in Johannesburg ended 1-1 with the Pirates snatching an equaliser through Thabo Matlaba in the 93rd minute of the added time to cancel out Mohamed Aboutreika's first half goal.
Al-Ahyl also boosts of a good record in the African showpiece with just two losses at the final in their history in the continental championship, against Asante Kotoko in 1983 and Tunisian side, Etoile du Sahel, 3-1 on aggregate in 2007.
However, the game presents them a perfect opportunity to give their fans some cause to cheer in the wake of the political crisis in the country. Although, Ahyl could be said to be favourites in today's final, considering that they have an away goal advantage in the first leg, but Orlando Pirates coach, Roger de Sa is optimistic that his players has what it takes to turn the table and win their second title far away in Cairo. He stated that although two of his key players; Jali and Happy Jele will not be available for the encounter but he has a strong back-up for the absence of the duo.
"We are quite aware that we are in a difficult position considering that Al- Ahyl has an away goal advantage because the 1-1 draw we played at South Africa, but we are undaunted and the players are prepared for the 'Battle of Cairo' because we have what it takes to turn the table against the Egyptians.
"My players equally believe that if they can come to South Africa and get a draw we can equally go to their back ground and defeat them. And in doing this, we shall not be distracted by their vociferous supporters or the political situation in that country, but will be focused in our bid to make South Africans proud," he said.
Also speaking on the encounter, Al- Ahyl coach, Mohamed Youssef, noted that his players are fully prepared for the match which he described as the most important of his coaching career. Youssef, a member of theAl- Ahly squad that won the defunct CAF Cup Winners' Cup in 1993, who is seeking to join a rare breed of coaches to have won a continental club title as a player and coach noted that he is confident his players will rise to the occasion and make their supporters happy at the end of the full 90 minutes. "We are confident of winning the trophy for the eighth time in Cairo.
The goal we scored in the first leg was important and with the backing at home, we are definitely going to come out victorious. "It's going to be very difficult considering the pedigree of the Buccaneers' in African football, but we are in the right frame of mind to create history once more in the continental showpiece," he said.
Al-Ahly deserves the win. Congrats to them!