Ahly beat Esperance 3-2 on aggregate in last year's African Champions League final (Photo: Reuters)
The possibility of playing Tunisia’s Esperance in a re-match of last year’s African Champions League final is not distracting an Ahly side who are determined to clinch a second consecutive continental title.
The Red Devils, the record holders of Africa’s elite club competition with seven titles under their belt, face Cameroon’s Coton Sport while Esperance take on South African outfit Orlando Pirates in the semis.
Ahly’s record-extending seventh accolade came when they overcame Esperance 3-2 on aggregate last year and both sides are favourites to advance to the final again this term.
“Talks about a possible game against Esperance are actually harming our prospects in the competition,” Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef said on the club’s official website on Friday.
“We don’t want to be distracted by that. We are only focused on our next match against Coton Sport.”
Coton Sport will host Ahly in the first leg in Garoua on 5 October, while the second leg will be played in Egypt on 20 October.
Ahly won their group to qualify for the semifinal after bagging 11 points, three ahead of runners-up Orlando Pirates.
Coton Sport qualified after finishing second in Group B with eight points, seven behind Esperance.
Ahly defeated the Cameroonians in the 2008 final.
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