Preview: Espérance Sportive v Al Ahly SC | CAF Champions League

Ahly’s African Champions League clash away to Esperance on Saturday brings back bitter memories for the Red Devils but they will have a chance for revenge in the semi-final first leg in Rades.

Esperance inflicted a painful 3-0 defeat on Ahly the last time both sides met at the Hammadi Agrebi venue in 2018 to win the coveted Champions League trophy with a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Ahly exited the following edition with another humiliating 5-1 aggregate loss to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns but made amends last year, winning an elusive title with a remarkable 2-1 victory over perennial Cairo rivals Zamalek.

This year, the reigning champions eliminated Sundowns in the quarters 3-1 on aggregate but they still need to claim the scalp of another traditional rival as they eye a record-extending 10th Champions League crown.

“Al Ahly against Esperance is a classic Champions League game and we all know the importance of the game, given the history and the ambitions of both clubs and their constant desire to win titles,” Ahly’s South African coach Pitso Mosimane told the pre-match news conference.

“We are an experienced team and we always play to win and make our fans happy. We have a huge responsibility towards our history and our fans. We are soldiers and we are defending Al Ahly badge.”