Fans of Egypt's Ahly, known as "Ultras", celebrate after their team scored against Tunisia's CS Sfaxien during their African Super Cup soccer match at Cairo Stadium February 20, 2014 (Reuters)
Martin Jol's hopes of leading Ahly before their enthusiastic supporters will be finally realised as the club host Tanzania's Young Africans in Alexandria on Wednesday for a place in the African Champions League group stage.
Since his arrival to take over at the club in February, the Dutchman has been watching videos of how Ahly's hardcore fans used to cheer on their team before a crowd ban was enforced in domestic matches due to security concerns following a football tragedy in February 2015.
He said he was impressed with the fan choreography and passionate songs, adding that he could not wait to experience such an atmosphere.
Jol will finally have this chance when Ahly, the record winners of the Champions League with eight titles under their belt, take on Young Africans at Alexandria's army-owned Borg El-Arab Stadium.
Under relentless pressure from football fans, the Egyptian authorities agreed to lift the crowd ban in African competitions.
"Will I ever see this alive?" the former Tottennham Hotspur boss said on Facebook earlier this month after posting a picture of Ahly's fans in their favourite southern stands at Cairo Stadium, one of Egypt's oldest venues which used to host the matches of Cairo duo Ahly and Zamalek.
Zamalek basked in the support of thousands of their fans when they defeated Algeria's MO Bejaia 2-0 at Cairo's Petrosport stadium in the first leg of the Champions round of 16 on 9 April.
Ahly will be favourites to advance to the group stage and continue their bid towards a record-extending ninth triumph, having held Young Africans to a 1-1 first-leg draw in Dar-es-Salaam.
"Our ambitions are big; we aspire for the Champions League title, and getting past Young Africans is only the first step," winger Moemen Zakareya told Ahly's official website.
"The meeting with Young Africans will not be easy at all; they will surely fight to reach the group stage.
"Therefore we should be cautious in order to secure qualification; the players and management are all up to the occasion."
Midfielder Saleh Gomaa, who arrived last summer after a brief spell in Portuguese football, remains out of favour, with local reports indicating that he is having disciplinary problems.
Ghanaian striker John Antwi, another summer recruit, was also left out after failing to live up to expectations.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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