16:00 Cairo local time | 16:00 ET Canada-USA
Venue: WE Al-Ahly Stadium, Cairo
Referee: Jean Jacques
Defending champions Al Ahly are seeking to become the first team to win a hat-trick of successive Champions League crowns when they meet Raja tonight. Had been uncharacteristically patchy in the group stage, collecting just 10 points from six games to advance as runners-up.
They also suffered their first defeat in the Egyptian Premier League this season when they fell to a surprise 1-0 loss to Masry last weekend.
Mosimane, who led Ahly to back-to-back Champions League titles, partly blamed fixture congestion for the stuttering form but he is confident they can produce a solid and strong display against Raja, who topped their group with five wins and a solitary loss.
Their anticipated meeting comes four months after they clashed in an exciting African Super Cup in Qatar, which Ahly won on penalties after scoring a last-gasp equaliser.
Ahly will enjoy the backing of their fans, with authorities agreeing to allow more than 20,000 spectators to attend the game at Al-Salam Stadium.
The record seven-time African champions are also expected to play before a vibrant crowd when the second leg takes place in Casablanca next weekend.
Ahly will miss long-term absentees Akram Tawfik and Badr Benoun in addition to injured central defender Rami Rabia.
