Weiler: Ahly v Zamalek in CAFCL final would be great!

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Jul 29, 2020. 12:00

Al Ahly coach Rene Weiler says that his side faces a tough task in trying to get past Wydad Casablanca in the semifinals of the CAF Champions League, but believes a Cairo derby final against Zamalek would be “great”.

The Confederation of African Football recently announced that the Champions League semifinals will revert to a two-legged format when they return from the coronavirus-enforced suspension, likely in September.

Ahly will come up against Wydad in one semi, while the other is also an Egypt-v-Morocco battle as Zamalek face Raja Casablanca.

“The Wydad confrontation is a very difficult one. Now the best four teams in Africa are in the semifinal and every team wants to win the title and work hard for that target,” Weiler said in an interview with Ahly TV channel earlier this week, as quoted by Ahram Online.

“Luck should stand behind the team that wants victory. Sure, good performance is a must, but we should also be lucky. We have a big chance to win the title,” added the 46-year-old coach.

Weiler is happy to adapt back to a two-legged format, insisting that the goal of reaching the final remains the same regardless.

“We should deliver a good game and win against Wydad in the first leg in Morocco to boost our chances in the return match. We dream of the Champions League title and we can achieve it,” the Ahly coach said.

“It would be easier if the semifinal was just one match, but I can adapt to any circumstances, and whether we play a match or two, we will play only to win and reach the final.

“Why don’t we face Zamalek in the final? It would be great to see Ahly and Zamalek in the final.

“Two teams from Egypt in the final is something special and in all cases our target is to win the title whether against Zamalek or Raja.”

Ahly have won a record eight CAF Champions League titles, though their last two appearances in the final in 2017 and 2018 both ended in defeat.