Egypt, France airdrop aid to Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis, global criticism of Israel    Supply minister discusses strengthening cooperation with ITFC    Egypt launches initiative with traders, manufacturers to reduce prices of essential goods    SCZONE chief discusses strengthening maritime, logistics cooperation with Panama    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Egypt reviews health insurance funding mechanism to ensure long-term sustainability    Gaza on verge of famine as war escalates, ceasefire talks stall    Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland    Egyptian president follows up on initiatives to counter extremist thought    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    58 days that exposed IMF's contradictions on Egypt    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Ahly, Etoile face fiery Champions League ordeals
Published in Daily News Egypt on 20 - 09 - 2007

JOHANNESBURG: Favorites Al Ahly of Egypt and Etoile Sahel of Tunisia face trials by fire this weekend in the African Champions League semi-finals.
Etoile confront Al Hilal of Sudan in Omdurman Friday and Al Ahly continue their challenge for a record third consecutive title against Al Ittihad of Libya in Tripoli Sunday.
Fiery support has played a huge role in the shock success of Hilal and Ittihad - the first time a club from Sudan or Libya has reached the penultimate phase since the premier African club competition was revamped 11 years ago.
The Hilal Stadium is an old-fashioned 35,000-seat venue with virtually no space between the crowd and the pitch, creating the most intimidating atmosphere in the African Champions League this year.
Sudanese supporters roar themselves hoarse backing their heroes in blue and white and goals are greeted by a deafening roar while pieces of paper are set alight in celebration.
Hilal boast a 100 percent home record in Africa this year and a 16-1 goal tally as a mix of Sudanese, Nigerians and a Mozambican coached by Brazilian Ricardo Ferreira wreak havoc against weak, medium and strong opposition.
Polisi of Zanzibar conceded four goals, five-time champions Zamalek of Egypt two, Nasarawa United of Nigeria three, Esperance of Tunisia two, Asec of Ivory Coast two and five-time winners Al Ahly three in hot and humid Omdurman.
And only Asec striker Nafiu Iddrisu managed to score against a Hilal defense magnificently marshaled by giant Sudan international Richard Lado at a ground where Hilal have lost just three of 48 Champions League games.
Mozambican Dario Khan, central partner of Lado, is another star while Nigerian strikers Ezeh Ndubuisi and Kelechi Osunwa have claimed 10 of 21 goals scored en route to the semi-finals.
Etoile are seeking a third final appearance in four years having lost on penalties to Enyimba of Nigeria in 2004 and being outplayed by Al Ahly 12 months later despite adopting hyper cautious tactics even at home.
The Red Devils, a nickname the club from the Tunisian Mediterranean resort of Sousse share with Al Ahly, failed to qualify for the 2006 pool phase only to bounce back this year under French coach Bertrand Marchand.
Success has been built around a defence that conceded just three goals in 10 qualifying and group games while Amine Chermiti and Cape Verdian Gilson Ja Silva form a young, dynamic strike force.
While Hilal have come close several times to reaching the mini-league stage of the 3.5-million-dollar competition, the presence of Ittihad among the last four contenders is nothing less than sensational.
Although they made their debut 40 years ago in a competition formerly called the African Champions Cup, the most popular Libyan football club progressed beyond the first round only once in eight previous attempts.
But under Serb coach Branko Smiljanic, there was a dramatic change this year with victories against Mogas 90 of Benin, ASFNIS of Niger and Etoile of Congo earning a group place.
And home wins over former champions Jeunesse Sportive Kabylie of Algeria and FAR Rabat of Morocco and weakened Etoile Sahel, who they surprisingly held goalless earlier in Tunisia, ensured Ittihad finished second on the standings.
Goalkeeper-cum-captain Samir Aboud, defenders Younes al-Shibani and Osama Hamadi, and striker Salem al-Rewani star in a side that can build patiently or opt for route-one football to the head of huge Guinean striker Alseny Camara.
Al Ahly needed a laboured 2-0 home win over Asec in their final pool fixture to guarantee progress after consecutive losses at Esperance and Hilal proved the club that has dominated Africa for three years was far from invincible.
Losing midfielder Mohamed Shawky to English Premiership club Middlesbrough was a blow, but goalkeeeper Essam al-Hadary, defender Wael Gomaa, midfielder Mohamed Abou Treika and Angola striker Flavio Amado form an impressive spine.
The return matches are scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 6-7 in Sousse and Cairo with the aggregate winners advancing to a two-leg final that offers one million dollars to the victors and an invite to the FIFA Club World Cup.


Clic here to read the story from its source.