Ahli's tough upcoming clash with Tunisia's Esperance in the first leg semi-final of the African Champions League has hearts pounding Six-time African champions Ahli are scheduled to meet Esperance in the first leg of the CAF Champions league semi-final on Sunday 3 October, Ahmed Morsy reports. The eagerly anticipated all-Arab clash in Cairo takes place with Egyptian champions Ahli looking far from convincing so far in the group stage while the Tunisians are enjoying fine form under Faouzi Benzarti, the veteran manager who is hoping his side can outclass the out-of- form African giants. After leading Esperance to the Tunisian league title last season, Benzarti's team also dominate the current season by 13 points after winning four matches. "Ahli are always a strong team regardless of their recent form. We have to be aware," Benzarti said in an interview with CNN Arabic. "I agree that the current Ahli side are not the same impeccable squad who dominated the African competition under [Portuguese coach] Manuel Jose in recent years. "They are in a rebuilding process and this could be useful for us. Yet we cannot underestimate Ahli," the former coach of Tunisia said. Benzarti sees no significance in having to play the first-leg in Cairo. "In matches between neighbours, there is no place for such factors," he added. "Playing in Cairo first could help my team as pressure might get to Ahli. We could also be put under the same pressure in Tunisia regardless of the first-leg result." The 1994 CAF African Champions league winners Esperance finished the group stage with 13 points from six games in order to qualify to the semi-finals, two ahead of holders Mazembe of DR Congo who also qualified for the Champions League semis. They will play JS Kabylie of Algeria. Ahli's coach Hossam El-Badri had announced that he would have preferred to face Mazembe in the semis. However, he will now have to overcome a tough North African side in Esperance if he is to lead the team to a place in the final for the fifth time in six years. Both sides last met in the 2007 Champions League group stage. Ahli crushed Esperance 3-0 in Cairo before slumping to a 1-0 loss in Tunisia. Ahli memorably reached the 2001 final at the expense of Esperance after a volley from former attacking midfielder Said Abdel-Hafiz lifted them through on the away goal rule after a 1-1 aggregate draw. The Egyptian champions went on to win the competition after beating South African side Mamelodi Sundowns in the final. In Sunday's encounter Ahli could be missing Egypt left-back Sayed Moawad and forward Mohamed Nagi 'Gedo' due to injuries. Moawad, a regular member of Ahli's starting line- up, injured his calf while warming up before his side's 1-0 league victory over Wadi Degla in the domestic league. After the summer departure of Angolan winger Gilberto, Moawad became a regular. Youngster Ayman Ashraf still lacks the experience against Esperance. Gedo suffered a knee injury in against their bitter rivals Ismaili in the CAF group stage which ended 4-2 for the coastal club. Ahli, under fire for a string of below-par displays, know their demanding fans are growing increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as the team's inability to live up to expectations despite a host of big-name signings. "We are suffering from recurring mistakes," Ahli's assistant coach Alaa Maihoub confessed. "We are working hard to solve our problems before the encounter with Esperance." By Ahmed Morsy
