Just 72 hours after being crowned Egypt's champions, Cairo giants Al Ahly return to the continental theatre when they entertain Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas on Tuesday in the 2016 Orange CAF Champions League, Group A Day 2 match.
Ahly sealed their 38th Egyptian Premier League title this Friday, beating Ismaily 2-1 to raise their tally to 74 points, seven more than arch rivals Zamalek with two games to spare.
Ahly sealed their 38th Egyptian Premier League title this Friday, beating Ismaily 2-1 to raise their tally to 74 points, seven more than arch rivals Zamalek with two games to spare.
But the "Red Devils" have to cut short their domestic celebrations and shift their attention quickly to the premier continental club championship, as they await a must win game against the West Africans from Abidjan in Alexandria.
A 3-2 loss to Zambia's ZESCO United in the Group A opener means Ahly has to win in midweek if they want to revive their qualification dreams.
"ASEC Mimosas also lost their first game, and this makes Tuesday's match crucial for both sides", Ahly assistant coach Mohamed Abdul Azeem "Azeema" told CAFonline.com.
"They are a very good team despite their loss to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco. We will make our homework studying them well before Tuesday", he added.
ASEC conceded a home 1-0 defeat to Wydad in Abidjan a few hours after Ahly's defeat in Zambia. "They didn't deserve to lose. I believe they were the better side. Our game against them is not going to be easy. Both sides want a win to revive their chances. But I believe we have got the needed experience and talent to win the game", concluded Azeema.
Ahly are missing a number of key players. Midfielder Abdullah ElSaid dislocated his shoulder and Gabonese import Malick Evouna has a sprained ankle. But the Red Devils will count on the high morale of their stars, including international defender Ahmed Hegazy, who just celebrated his first league title with Ahly.
"It's a great pleasure surely to win the league in my first season with the club", Hegazy rold CAFonline.com. "But there's no time for celebrations now, We have to get ready for ASEC game, and we are ready", he added.
"ASEC is a good side, but we have one thing in mind - the maximum points", added the tall center back who joined Ahly from Serie A side Fiorentina last summer.
"Our target is the FIFA Club World Cup, and to do so we have to continue progressing in the CAF Champions League. I believe we can win on Tuesday to get back on the track", concluded Hegazy.
Ahly entertains ASEC Mimosas in the 80,000 seated Burg El Arab stadium near Alexandria on Tuesday 28 June 2016, with the kickoff scheduled at 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT). Wydad lock horns with ZESCO United 24 hours later in the Moroccan capital Rabat.
A 3-2 loss to Zambia's ZESCO United in the Group A opener means Ahly has to win in midweek if they want to revive their qualification dreams.
"ASEC Mimosas also lost their first game, and this makes Tuesday's match crucial for both sides", Ahly assistant coach Mohamed Abdul Azeem "Azeema" told CAFonline.com.
"They are a very good team despite their loss to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco. We will make our homework studying them well before Tuesday", he added.
ASEC conceded a home 1-0 defeat to Wydad in Abidjan a few hours after Ahly's defeat in Zambia. "They didn't deserve to lose. I believe they were the better side. Our game against them is not going to be easy. Both sides want a win to revive their chances. But I believe we have got the needed experience and talent to win the game", concluded Azeema.
Ahly are missing a number of key players. Midfielder Abdullah ElSaid dislocated his shoulder and Gabonese import Malick Evouna has a sprained ankle. But the Red Devils will count on the high morale of their stars, including international defender Ahmed Hegazy, who just celebrated his first league title with Ahly.
"It's a great pleasure surely to win the league in my first season with the club", Hegazy rold CAFonline.com. "But there's no time for celebrations now, We have to get ready for ASEC game, and we are ready", he added.
"ASEC is a good side, but we have one thing in mind - the maximum points", added the tall center back who joined Ahly from Serie A side Fiorentina last summer.
"Our target is the FIFA Club World Cup, and to do so we have to continue progressing in the CAF Champions League. I believe we can win on Tuesday to get back on the track", concluded Hegazy.
Ahly entertains ASEC Mimosas in the 80,000 seated Burg El Arab stadium near Alexandria on Tuesday 28 June 2016, with the kickoff scheduled at 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT). Wydad lock horns with ZESCO United 24 hours later in the Moroccan capital Rabat.
By: Cafonline.com
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