Al Ahly’s Tau excited for Champions League challenge

by Staff Reporter

Thursday May 16, 2024. 12:00

South African forward Percy Tau says he is excited for the challenge that lies ahead of Al Ahly as they prepare for the CAF Champions League final.

The Egyptian heavyweights will face Esperance de Tunis over two legs of the final – on May 18 and 25 – as they chase a record-extending 12th African crown.

Tau had the most goal contributions in the continental competition last season, but has only found the net once this term. Despite this, the Bafan Bafana star has played an important role in Al Ahly reaching the final.

“It is gonna be important. It is a big one. I will be happy to be part of the history of this club to win this one. It will be my third final in a row and I want to be happy at the end of the match,” Tau told Al Ahly’s official website.

The Red Eagles have been the dominant force of the Champions League in recent years, winning the 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2022-23 editions, as well as finishing runners-up in 2021-22.

Al Ahly will face Esperance on Saturday night in the first leg of the final at Hamadi Agrebi Stadium before hosting them in Cairo a week later.

The Hamadi Agrebi Stadium is a happy hunting ground for Al Ahly, as they have beaten Esperance in their last two visits there – including a 3-0 thumping in the first leg of their semifinal tie in 2022-23, which featured two goals from Tau.