Al Ahly boosted by Abou Ali return

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Dec 05, 2024. 10:30

Al Ahly have been boosted by the news that Wessam Abou Ali has returned to availability after recovering from an injury that had sidelined him since the November international break.

The Red Eagles touched down in Johannesburg, South Africa, early Thursday morning ahead of a clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday in Matchday 2 of the CAF Champions League group stage.

The striker’s return is good news for Al Ahly coach, Marcel Koller. In Wessam’s absence the Cairo club lacked their usual attacking threat and they were held to a goalless draw in the Egyptian League on Sunday against NBE.

The squad also saw the return of Moroccan defender Achraf Dari, who has struggled with injury since he joined the club.

Saturday’s Champions League encounter will be the Reds’ last match before heading to Qatar to participate in the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

The reigning champions made a strong start to their Champions League campaign with a commanding 4-2 home victory over Stade d’Abidjan.

The Cairo giants face a tough challenge against Orlando Pirates, who began their group stage journey with a 2-1 away win over Algeria’s CR Belouizdad.

Saturday’s match will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2015, when Orlando Pirates eliminated Al Ahly in the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals.

Pirates have a strong record against Al Ahly (who have never won a competitive match on South African soil) with three wins and two draws in their six meetings.

Their only loss to Al Ahly came on the grandest stage, the second leg of the 2013 CAF Champions League final, when the Egyptian side won 2-0 at home to claim their eighth Champions League title.