Entente Sportive de Setif of Algeria celebrate with the trophy after winning the African Champions League final soccer match against AS Vita Club of Democratic Republic of the Congo, at Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida November 1, 2014 (Photo: Reuters)
ES Sétif coach Kheïreddine Madoui expects a tough test against Egypt's Ahly in the African Super Cup match.
The Confederation Cup winners, Ahly, will be hosted by the African Champions League winners, Algeria's ES Setif, to compete for the continental Super Cup on 21 February.
Ahly's preparations for the game sustained a huge blow after the recent suspension of the Egyptian league, but Madoui believes the Cairo giants will be different.
"Ahly have a number of good players and will be a strong opponent for us, especially as winning the match equals a new title," Madoui was quoted as saying by Algerian media on Saturday.
"African Super Cup match will a good opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Egypt and Algeria," added the 41-year old coach.
The Egyptian domestic competition has been suspended since Sunday, after police used tear gas against Zamalek fans trying to get in to the Air Defence Stadium to watch the game against ENPPI, resulting in 20 deaths.
While the police claimed the deaths resulted due to a stampede, fans say the events were premeditated and blamed new security measures, including a makeshift and narrow, barbed wire pathway erected by security forces in front of a tiny stadium gate.
Ahly was suffering in its bid to defend the league title this season as the team lies third in the league table with 36 points, 9 behind leaders Zamalek after 19 matches. They won only in 10 matches, with six draws and three defeats.
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