Ahli (Egypt) vs. Esperance (Tunisia) Kickoff: 19.00 CLT CAF Champions League Final – First leg Venue: Army Stadium, Alexandria MATCH FACTS Ahli -The last time Ahli lost in an African competition in Cairo was against a Tunisian team when Etoile Sahel shocked the six-time champs 3-1 to win the 2007 Champions League. -Mohamed Abou-Treika scored against every Tunisian club he had faced, leading the Reds to wins over Etoile Sahel, Sfaxien and Esperance before. -Ahli conceded just four goals in 12 African finals in Cairo...all goals coming from Tunisian sides (Sfaxien 1 and Etoile 3). Esperance -In their five previous visits to Cairo, Esperance have only scored twice against Ahli, with both goals coming from set pieces.
Maaloul frustrated Ahli last time -Yannick N'Djeng and Youssef Msakni have been directly involved in more than 70% of Esperance's 18 Champions League goals this term. -Ghanaian winger Harrison Afful only scored twice in 31 Champions League appearances since joining Esperance in 2009...both goals came in final games against Mazembe and Wydad Casablanca. Head-to-head -Ahli and Esperance met ten times in Africa, with the Tunisians winning three games against two for their North African rivals. Five matches ended in draws. -Despite Esperance's better record, Ahli scored more goals as they lead 7-6. -Ahli veteran Mohamed Abou-Treika is the top scorer of both teams' meetings with two goals of his side's seven. QUOTES Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri “Certainly we need a good result at home so that things can be easier in the second leg. “I think the return of our fans to the stands will be a massive push to our team and I promise them that we'll win the title." Esperance coach Nabil Maaloul
Msakni missing “I think the result of this game will be determined by the very little details as was the case in our semifinal against Mazembe. “We are used to getting positive results in Cairo and I hope we shall repeat the exploit." TEAM NEWS Ahli are boosted by the return of their phenomenal midfielder Abou-Treika, who finished a two-month club ban. Full-back Sayed Moawad is the Reds' only major absentee as center-half Sherif Abdul-Fadil is likely to get the nod ahead of Ahmed Shedid at left back, with the task of stopping the threat of Afful. Emad Meteb is fully fit following a series of injury problems but the good form of Geddo is likely to make him Ahli's lone striker on Sunday. Walid Soliman also returns from injury and is expected to fill the left wing. While Ahli have Abou-Treika back, Esperance were rocked by the news that star man Msakni will miss the first leg following appendix surgery. The Tunisians have to be careful as five of their players are in danger of missing the return leg if booked. PROBABLE LINE-UPS AHLI: Ekrami – Fathi, Gomaa, Naguib, Abdul-Fadil – Ashour, Ghaly, Al-Saied, Soliman, Abou-Treika – Geddo ESPERANCE: Ben Cherifia – Chemmam, Ben Mansour, Hichri, Derbali – Ragued, Mouelhi, Aouadhi, Traoui, Afful – N'Djeng
