Ismaili have decided to take part in next year's African champions League after abandoning the ongoing edition, the club said on Wednesday. The Dervishes were eligible to play in the 2009 Champions League after finishing runners-up to Egyptian Premier League winners Ahli in the 2007/2008 season. However, they opted to participate in the Arab Champions League (ACL) because it was more financially rewarding. They also finished second in the 2008/2009 season behind Cairo giants and fierce rivals Ahli but with the ACL cancelled due to the hectic schedule of clubs and national teams, Ismaili switched to the lucrative Champions League. "The club informed the Egyptian FA of its desire to play in the African Champions League," Ismaili said in a statement on their official website. Ismaili were the first Egyptian team to win Africa's premier club competition after beating TP Mazembe Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1970 final. The Champions league winners earn $1 million and book a place in the FIFA Club World Cup.