“The only good thing about the gamer against Ceramica is that we won but I am totally dissatisfied with the performance,” the Swiss coach said in the press conference after his team struggled to win the game 1-0.

Ahly will be facing Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of the prestigious continental competition in Cairo on Sunday and in the second leg in in Morocco a week later.

Winger Hussein El Shahat emerged as the hero for Ahly, scoring the lone goal to win the match in the 60th minute.

With the win over Ceramica Cleopatra, Ahly extended their lead at the top of the league table to four points ahead of second-placed Pyramids FC, with four games in hand.

“After scoring, we lost our concentration and neglected defence and we could have been punished since they got several chances to even the score,” Koller added.

“I am saying it clearly: We need more determination and concentration in the Wydad game. If we repeat the same performance against Ceramia, we will not achieve our target."

Ahly are vying to win their 11th  Champions League title in their 16th appearance in the finals of the continental tournament.

The Egyptian champs secured their fourth successive Champions League final appearance with a commanding 4-0 aggregate victory over Esperance of Tunisia.

Meanwhile Defending champions Wydad, who beat Ahly in the final in 2022, will be on course to win their fourth title in their sixth appearance in the tournament's final.

 They reached the final after beating South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns on the away goal rule after a 2-2 draw on agregate.

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