Al Ahly aims to defeat Pirates and secure the top position

Marcel Koller, the head coach of Al Ahly, stresses that their main objective is to secure a victory against Orlando Pirates as they aim to lead Group C ahead of their CAF Champions League match at Cairo International Stadium this Saturday (18:00).

Although both sides have already booked their places in the quarterfinals, the battle for dominance is set to unfold in what promises to be a thrilling encounter, particularly after their last match concluded in a goalless stalemate at Orlando Stadium.

At present, Jose Riveiro’s team tops the group with 11 points, where a draw would suffice to retain their lead. Conversely, the Egyptian powerhouses sit in second place with 10 points and require a win to overtake the Buccaneers.

Nonetheless, the Swiss coach acknowledges that securing a full three points in Cairo against a team that remains unbeaten in the group will be a tough challenge, even as he maintains a hopeful outlook for his squad.

“I am optimistic about our chances for a successful match, but I realize it will be a fierce contest as the opponents have performed exceptionally and are leading the group. They put up a strong fight at their home ground in the first leg,” Koller commented.

While remaining cautious regarding the threat posed by the Sea Robbers, Koller asserts that their mission is to dethrone the Pirates and establish their supremacy in the group as they move towards the knockout stages—a feat they have achieved only once in their last five campaigns.

“Our goal is to win and secure the top spot in the group, which is a challenging task. However, we are fully prepared, and our well-rounded squad is capable of covering any absences,” commented the two-time CAF Champions League victor.

The current African champions are set to welcome back key player Emam Ashour, who has scored six goals in his last three outings, along with Wessam Abou Ali, who is recovering from minor injuries, as they aim to clinch three consecutive continental titles.

“Although we are dealing with significant injuries, the caliber of our players compensates for those unavailable, and anyone who steps on the field has the opportunity to demonstrate their skills. The match will not be straightforward for us, particularly with younger or less experienced players,” Koller explained.

“It’s too soon to talk about our championship chances, but our victories so far indicate that we are on a promising path. We have lifted the title twice and are striving for a third consecutive trophy, but this doesn’t mean our opponents have reduced opportunities.”

The Soweto giants will draw inspiration from their impressive recent 4-3 win during their last visit to Cairo. Historically, the Pirates have faced Al Ahly seven times, recording two wins, three draws, and one loss.