Preview: Injury-Hit Ahly eye top spot against Orlando Pirates in CAF Champions League

Ahmed Seif , Friday 17 Jan 2025

Ahly will aim to overcome a string of absences and secure the top spot in Group C when they face Orlando Pirates on Saturday at Cairo International Stadium in the final round of the CAF Champions League group stage.

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The defending champions, currently second in the group with 10 points, trail the South African side by a single point. While both teams have already secured their quarterfinal berths, the match will determine the group winner. A win will see Ahly leapfrog Orlando Pirates to the summit, while a draw or defeat will leave the Pirates as group leaders.

Swiss coach Marcel Koller faces a selection dilemma, with seven players unavailable for the crucial encounter. Key absentees include Yahya Attiat-Allah (facial fracture), Achraf Dari (hamstring injury), Reda Slim (knee cartilage tear), Taher Mohamed Taher (partial anterior muscle tear), Karim Fouad (ACL injury), Ali Maaloul (not registered), and Percy Tau, who recently transferred to Qatar SC.

Despite these setbacks, Koller remains optimistic.

“Our goal is to win and top the group. It’s a challenging task, but we have a strong squad capable of filling the gaps,” Koller said at a pre-match press conference.

Midfielder Emam Ashour and forward Wissam Abou Ali returned to full training ahead of the match, providing a much-needed boost for Ahly. Ashour had been nursing a minor foot injury sustained in Wednesday’s league match against Gouna, while Abou Ali completed his rehabilitation program.

Team captain Mohamed El-Shennawy called for strong fan support, saying, “The presence of fans is our driving force. We are fully prepared and determined to win and secure the top position in our group.”

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro expressed confidence in his team’s ability to handle the pressure at Cairo International Stadium.

“We respect Ahly as a strong team, but we are here to win and confirm our group leadership. Playing in front of a large crowd is a great motivation for us,” Riveiro said.

The Pirates, unbeaten in the group stage, are looking to maintain their momentum and solidify their credentials as title contenders.

The high-stakes clash promises an intense battle, as Ahly look to reaffirm their status as the continent’s dominant force and Orlando Pirates aim to maintain their unbeaten run.

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