The stage is set for an epic showdown in African club football as Esperance of Tunisia prepare to host Egyptian giants Al Ahly on Saturday in the first leg of the 2023/24 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final. This clash of titans marks another chapter in a long-standing rivalry in Africa’s premier club competition.
Esperance and Al Ahly have faced each other numerous times over the years, with Ahly generally holding the upper hand. However, Esperance will be determined to capitalize on their home advantage as they aim for their fifth Champions League title.
The Blood and Gold have won the coveted trophy four times, while Al Ahly’s remarkable dynasty has seen them lift the cup a record 11 times. An unprecedented 12th title is within their reach after an unbeaten journey to the final.
“Every Champions League opponent raises their game against Ahly. We are the most successful club in Africa, so everybody wants to beat us,” warned Al Ahly’s Swiss coach, Marcel Koller.
Esperance’s coach, Miguel Cardoso, sees this final as the pinnacle of his career, having had a journeyman career across clubs in Portugal, France, Spain, and Greece.
“Reaching the final is the pinnacle,” said Cardoso. “We must grab this opportunity with both hands.”
Both teams have shown exceptional defensive solidity, with goalkeepers Mostafa Shobeir of Al Ahly and Esperance’s Amanallah Memmiche standing out as key players throughout the tournament. Remarkably, both have kept 11 clean sheets from 12 matches.
Shobeir, at 23, has stepped up impressively after being promoted due to an injury to captain Mohamed El Shenawy. Koller now faces a tough decision on whether to stick with Shobeir or bring back the experienced El Shenawy.
On the other side, 20-year-old Memmiche has made a significant impact, taking over from long-time Esperance number one Moez Ben Cherifia and playing a crucial role in their unexpected run to the final.
While both defences have been robust, Al Ahly boasts a more lethal attack, having scored 19 goals compared to Esperance’s 9. South African winger Percy Tau and the prolific Hussein El Shahat are at the forefront of the Egyptian side’s offense.
Esperance’s primary offensive threat comes from Brazilian forward Yan Sasse, who has netted three goals. His fellow Brazilian Rodrigues, however, has yet to score. Much will depend on the creative play of Algerians Houssem Ghacha and Mohamed Tougai, and Togo’s Roger Aholou to supply their forwards.
Al Ahly will be strengthened by the return of influential midfielder Aliou Dieng from injury, while defensive stalwart Badr Benoun is expected to recover from a minor knock in time for the match.
With a passionate home crowd at their backs, Esperance will aim to secure an advantage in this first leg before heading to Cairo for the decisive second leg in a week’s time.
The anticipation is palpable as fans and pundits alike prepare for what promises to be a thrilling and closely contested final between two of Africa’s most storied football clubs.
“We played our normal game, we had more possession, especially in the first half but we lost. We will concentrate on the next game. That’s it,” noted a confident Esperance coach, underscoring their strategy and resilience.
Both teams understand the importance of a strong start in the first leg, with Esperance particularly focused on leveraging their home field to build a lead.
“Every Champions League opponent raises their game against Ahly. We are the most successful club in Africa so everybody wants to beat us,” Koller reiterated, aware of the target on their backs.
Esperance’s fans will be hoping that their team’s solid defensive record, combined with their home advantage, will help them overcome the formidable challenge posed by Al Ahly.
Despite their underdog status, Esperance’s journey to the final has been characterized by gritty performances and timely goals, making them a formidable opponent for the Egyptians.
Al Ahly, known for their attacking prowess, will look to their star players to break down Esperance’s defence and secure a crucial away victory.
The battle in midfield will be key, with both sides boasting strong, technically gifted players capable of controlling the game and creating chances.
As the first leg approaches, both coaches will be finalizing their strategies and making last-minute adjustments to ensure their teams are at peak performance.
The outcome of this match could very well hinge on individual moments of brilliance, as both squads feature players capable of turning the tide in an instant.
Fans around the continent will be tuning in to witness the latest chapter in this storied rivalry, eager to see which team will take the first step toward continental glory.
The atmosphere at St. Mary’s Stadium is expected to be electric, with Esperance supporters providing a cauldron of noise to spur their team on.
With so much at stake, both teams will be leaving everything on the pitch in pursuit of the coveted CAF Champions League trophy.
