Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry has expressed his confidence in reaching the African Champions League final, despite Sunday's first-leg 1-2 defeat to Etoile du Sahel away in Sousse. "Qualifying for the final will be decided at Borg El-Arab. The first-leg was exciting. We wasted many chances, but the home game will be different," El-Baadry said at the post-match press conference on Sunday. Ahly will host Etoile for the decisive clash at Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria on 21 October. "We weren't lucky in the goal area, although we reached it many times. But Saleh Gomaa's goal will make our mission easier," he added. El-Badry also assured Ahly fans that his tactics would not be affected by the absence of experienced right-winger Ahmed Fathi. "I am sorry Fathi will miss the next game, but we have substitutes in the same positions," he stressed. The Red Devils set up a mouthwatering two-legged encounter with Etoile after overcoming another Tunisian side in Esperance in the quarters, coming from a goal down to earn a 2-1 win in Rades following a 2-2 first-leg draw in Alexandria. Ahly are eyeing a record-extending ninth title and their first since 2013. They met Etoile in the Champions League final in 2005 and 2007. Ahly prevailed with a comprehensive 3-0 aggregate win in 2005, but Etoile had the upper hand two years later, securing a 3-1 victory in Cairo after the first leg ended goalless.
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