File Photo: Ahly s Forward Percy Tau in action during the match with Simba. Photo courtesy of Al-Ahly
The game is expected to be easy for the Red Devils given the significant difference between the two sides.
Stade d'Abidjan, who won the title in 1966, has failed to make an impact on the continent since then.
They qualified for the competition as Ivorian League runners-up behind champions San-Pedro and faced struggles during the Champions League campaign before reaching the group stage.
They progressed to the second round after a penalty shootout victory over Senegalese side Teungueth following a 2-2 aggregate draw, and then secured a spot in the group stage with a 3-2 aggregate win over Milo of Guinea.
"It would be a huge challenge to face a big team like Ahly," Stade d’Abidjan coach Alexandre Lafitte told reporters. "Ahly are the Real Madrid of Africa."
Despite Ahly coach Marcel Koller's reservations about the game, the Red Devils are not expected to encounter major problems against their Ivorian opponents.
"We anticipate a challenging match against a talented opponent with skilled players in their ranks," Ahly's coach told the pre-match news conference on Monday.
"Backed by our supporters, we are ready to secure a victory against Stade d'Abidjan," he affirmed.
Ahly striker Wessam Abou Ali will remain absent on Tuesday, but Koller will rely on the good form of wingers Taher Mohamed and Hussein El-Shehat, especially following the disappointing performance of Abou Ali's substitute, Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ Abdel-Moneam, in the match against Ittihad of Alexandria, where the team squandered several opportunities to draw with the Alexandria-based side.
The Cairo giants are placed in Group C alongside the Ivorian side, Algeria’s Belouizdad, and South Africa's Orlando Pirates.
They aim for a winning start in the group stage as the club pursues their 13th Champions League title.
"I find fulfillment in winning titles as our team is eager for more success. Our primary goal remains capturing the title," Koller concluded.
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