K.O. 18:00 Cairo local time | 11:00 ET Canada-USA
Venue: Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium (Tanzania)
Al Ahly is set to commence their journey in the quarterfinals of the first-ever African Football League (AFL) as they face Tanzania’s Simba at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
The eagerly awaited continental competition is scheduled to commence this Friday, featuring a remarkable prize pool of $10 million.
If Ahly progresses to the semifinals, they will go head-to-head with the victor of the match between South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Angola’s Petro Atletico.
Displaying his confidence in the African Football League’s capacity to nurture African soccer, Ahly’s coach Marcel Koller recognizes the demanding challenge his team faces in their tournament opener against Simba.
“We are delighted to be here, and we expect a tough match, as every team is doubly motivated when up against Ahly,” Koller conveyed during the pre-game press conference.
Koller underscored, “This competition holds the potential to promote African football by enticing European players to join African clubs.”
The African Football League (AFL), jointly launched by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in partnership with FIFA, highlights eight teams hailing from various corners of the continent. These teams include TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Esperance from Tunisia, Enyimba from Nigeria, and Wydad from Morocco.
In the second leg of the quarterfinals, Ahly is scheduled to welcome Simba at Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday.
The AFL champion will earn a generous reward of $4 million, the most substantial prize in continental club competitions.
Simba’s coach, Roberto Oliveira, exudes faith in his team’s potential to overcome the seasoned Ahly.
“While we hold Ahly in high esteem for their formidable reputation and impressive history in the African Champions League, Simba is a robust team as well, and we are fully ready to clinch a victory tomorrow,” Oliveira confidently stated during the pre-game press conference.
LIVE: Simba v Al Ahly | African Football League (AFL)
K.O. 18:00 Cairo local time | 11:00 ET Canada-USA
