Al Ahly Ready to Face Esperance in Champions League Final

Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Tunisia heavyweights Esperance will clash in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final in Rades on Friday.

The North African duo met in Alexandria last weekend, where Al Ahly won 3-1 in a match that was marred by two controversial VAR (video assistant referee) penalties for the home side with Walid Soliman converting both.

The Red Devils know that at least a draw or a 1-0 loss will hand them a record ninth Champions League title, and Coach Patrice Carteron believes the experience of his squad will stand them in good stead in a potentially explosive encounter.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] We are ready for the match and we have a specific goal which is to return from Tunisia with the trophy to make the fans happy.   [/perfectpullquote]

The Cairo giants will be missing veteran right-back Ahmed Fathi, who picked up a muscular injury that forced him off the first leg in minute 22 of the game.

Also, their key striker Walid Azaro is not part of the squad as he was suspended for two matches by African governing body CAF for ripping off his shirt to deceive the referee into thinking that he was tugged in the build-up to a second-half penalty he won.

“We have solutions to overcome the absences that hit the team; Mohamed Hani can take the place of Ahmed Fathi,” he added.

Al Ahly jetted in Tunis on Tuesday and are set to hold their last training today at Stade Olympique de Radès before facing the Red and Gold under floodlights on Friday.

Esperance will need to score twice and keep a clean sheet if they want to clinch their third title of the prestigious competition.