Photo courtesy of Esperance de Tunis.
Ahly will face the Tunisian giants in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on 13 March in Tunisia, with the return leg to take place in Cairo a week later.
Baumel, speaking at his unveiling news conference, said he was already well acquainted with the team and hoped to lead them to regain form.
“I have followed the team for a while and I have good knowledge of the squad,” Baumel told reporters on Monday.
“The Ahly clash will be the first big challenge for me and the technical staff.”
Esperance announced the Frenchman’s appointment on Saturday, succeeding Maher Kanzari, who was sacked earlier this month following a run of poor results in continental competition.
Baumel, the former Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire coach, parted ways with Angola a few days earlier and has signed a contract that will keep him at the Tunis club until the summer of 2027.
Esperance reached the quarter-finals after finishing second in Group D with nine points, two behind leaders Stade Malien.
The group also included Petro Atletico of Angola and Tanzania’s Simba.
Domestically, the 34-time Tunisian champions lead the league standings with 41 points, one ahead of second-placed Club Africain, who have played one game more.
Esperance are seeking a fifth Champions League title and their first since 2019, while Ahly are chasing a record-extending 13th crown.
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