Six-time African champions, Al-Ahly face yet another tough test in Tripoli against Al –Ittihad enroute to the group phase of the Orange CAF Champions League.

The “Red Devils” will be up against the Libyan champions in arguably the topliner of this weekend’s first leg matches of the 1/8th round of the premier continental club competition.

The Game will be live right here on nilesports.com

Ittihad vs Al Ahly Live / MTN ACL

With the ‘men separated from the boys’ in the run up to the 1.5 million dollar prize-money, the two powerhouses of North African club football are contending for a place at the lucrative mini-league stage. The centre of attraction will be the 67,000-capacity June 11 Stadium, which will play host to one of the biggest games ever staged in the Libyan capital this year.

With both teams eyeing a spot at the next stage, Ittihad nicknamed “Tehaa” will be eyeing a sweet revenge after Ahly edged them out 1-0 on aggregate at the semi finals of the same competition in 2007. Incidentally, that marked the 14-time Libyan champions’ successful campaign ever in the history of the premier continental club championship, and this term they are bent on going a step further, with the ultimate being the target.

Ahly, record six-time winners have yet to rediscover their well-known form and even laboured to edge past Zimbabwean debutants, Gunners FC, 2-1 on aggregate after losing the first leg by a lone goal in Harare. The Red Devils have yet to produce the rich vein of performance that earned them the tag of ‘most feared club’ few seasons ago, but remain on top in the Egyptian league.

To add to their woes, head coach Hossam Al-Badri will be without striker Emad Moteab due to a back injury, but the return of captain Ahmed Al-Sayed, who sat out of the Cairo-derby against Zamalek last week is enough a booster.

However, Ittihad trainer Miodrag Jesic is buoyant about his team’s abilities of grabbing a convincing result to make the second leg a mere formality.

“Ahli are a prominent team in the Arab world and Africa as well, but we have no fear. We have confidence in our capabilities and deeply believe in the talents we have at our disposal.

“We always play with the same style regardless of our opponents. I know our opposition in the upcoming game and I’m not scared. We are preparing for the game exactly like we do for any other match,” the Serb was quoted by Libyan daily, Al-Gamahiria.

The next centre of attraction will be in Bamako, where holders T.P. Mazembe will face Malian champions, Djoliba AC. The Malian flagbearer’s will be hoping to cash in on the poor away form of the reigning African champions to cause a major upset.

After being bundled out of the Nedbank Cup by Kaizer Chiefs last week, South African champions, SuperSport United face last year’s losing finalists Heartland FC of Nigeria for a place at the last eight.

With their domestic season over, SuperSport are very much aware of the impact a positive outcome will do to their continental ambitions, even though Ugandan-born goalie Dennis Onyango reckons a tough outing against last season’s silver medalists.

“We will now put 100 per cent focus onto our campaign in the Orange CAF Champions League. The Nigerian teams are always difficult to beat in a CAF competition and we expect a tough match against Heartland.”

In Harare, the ‘Glamour Boys’ of Zimbabwean football, Dynamos will host surprise packets Gaborone United of Botswana. The Botswana debutants have known no turning back since ousting former winner Orlando Pirates of South Africa at the preliminary round.

Dynamos, who have reached the group phase on their previous outings are considered favourites experience-wise, but David Bright, coach of Gaborone United says he is the least intimated by past records.

Zambian champions, Zanaco FC will face tough customers in 1988 African champions, Entente Setif in the Northern Algerian city of Setif, whilst J.S. Kabylie of Algeria engage Angola’s Petro Athletico in Tizi Ouzou.

In Omdurman, Sudanese giants Al Hilal welcomes Ismali of Egypt whilst archrivals Al-Merrikh will be away in Tunis as guests of 1994 African champions, Esperance.

The second leg matches will be played in a fortnight.

Fixtures
Djoliba (Mali) v T.P. Mazembe (DR Congo)
Al Hilal (Sudan) v Ismaili (Egypt)
JS Kabylie (Algeria) v Petro Atletico (Angola)
Esperance (Tunisia) v Al Merreikh (Sudan)
Dynamos (Zimbabwe) v Gaborone United (Botswana)
Al Ittihad (Libya) v Al Ahly (Egypt)
Entente Setif (Algeria) v Zanaco (Zambia)
SuperSport Utd (South Africa) v Heartland (Nigeria)