Etoile's Garrido reveals plan to stop Al Ahly

by Staff Reporter

Friday Nov 29, 2019. 08:00

Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel start their CAF Champions League group phase adventure on Friday against rivals Al Ahly of Egypt in a Group B opener at the Olympique Stadium in Rades near Tunis.

Etoile coach, Spaniard Juan Carlos Garrido, appointed few weeks ago talks to the CAF website ahead of the clash, which pits him against Egyptian giants Al Ahly, a club he guided to CAF Confederation Cup glory in 2014.

Below are excerpts of the interview;

How have you been preparing for the new task at hand?

The team has been preparing for the CAF Champions League for quite some time. The team has great qualities and huge potential. We’ve had enough training sessions and a poised for the clash. We won’t settle any result less than victory.

Having arrived at a crucial time in the history of the club, what are your expectations of the CAF Champions League?

The CAF Champions League is the most important competition in Africa and for Etoile as well. Only the best teams play here. We are working towards one goal – victory and the title. Etoile is a team that seeks to win trophies, and this title is amongst our list. We want to make our fans happy and proud.

How different is the Etoile experience for someone who knows much about African football?

I was lucky the last few years to have worked with some of the best clubs in Africa and best players. I know that being in this situation demands victory and good results all the time. There’s great passion in African football and amongst African football fans, and the feeling is no different at Etoile. I’m very happy to be here taking part in this great adventure.

You open the CAF Champions League campaign against your former club Ahly. What will be your approach?

Every match is different and this game is a different new story. We are looking forward to victory and to go far in this competition.