Grounded jet leaves Al Ahly in a pickle

Marcel Koller, coach of Al Ahly during the African Football League 2023 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly at the Loftus Stadium, Pretoria on the 29 October 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Thando Mpembe

Thursday Feb 22, 2024. 13:55

Al Ahly have made a plea to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone their Champions League clash with Medeama after the defending champions’ plane broke down.

The Red Eagles are scheduled to face the Mauve and Yellow at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Friday, just seven days after they played out to a 0-0 draw with CR Belouizdad in Algiers to retain top spot in Group D.

However, Marcel Koller’s squad have been left stranded at the airport in Accra after their private jet encountered an problem before takeoff on Wednesday and cannot fly.

The Egyptian club have subsequently requested that CAF reschedule the group match as the team have no other means of reaching their destination in time.

“The club’s plane experienced an accident while preparing for takeoff from Accra airport,” Al Ahly said in a statement.

“The aircraft is now unfit to fly, and with no alternative means of transportation available, it would be very difficult to play the game as scheduled on Friday.

“The club has therefore approached CAF to request a postponement of the match.”