Al Ahly drew goalless in Lubumbashi in the first leg of the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League. Ahead of the second leg which they thrashed TP Mazembe 3-0 on Friday night, head coach Marcel Koller and centre-back Ramy Rabia were optimistic the fans were going to play a key role on the night. The coach and the defender were not wrong as Al Ahly’s fans displayed why Koller and Rabia waxed lyrical about them in the pre-match conference.
Speaking after the 3-0 success, Marcel Koller eluded the fans for their stellar role in the victory.
“Al-Ahly fans are beyond description. I have worked in many places and have not seen anything like them.
“Their presence is very important in every match. They were the 12th player, they helped us, they were a turning point, and they had a great role in the Mazembe match, I hope they will be more present in the matches in the league and they take the matches as important as the Champions League,” said Koller.
Born in Zurich, Marcel Koller, 63, has immense experience in top-flight football in Europe as he has managed Basel, St Gallen, Grasshoppers and FC Wil in his native Switzerland.
In Germany, he managed 1.FC Koln and VFL Bochum. Between 2011 and 2017, he was the head coach of the Austrian national team. His profile says that he has seen a lot of different fan cultures but Koller thinks Al Ahly fans are the best.
When Al Ahly came to Kumasi to face Medeama, their small crowd did not rest as they chanted, shouted and supported their team to the surprise of everyone. They are indeed one of the best in the world. Wydad Athletic and Esperance Sportive de Tunis fans are also incredible on the continent.
Al Ahly and Esperance Tunis will face each other in the finals and we will see who has the best fans.
