Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller has reportedly warmed his team against their CAF Champions League opponents that include Orlando Pirates.
The Egyptian giants are in Group C alongside Pirates, Khanyisa Mayo’s Tunisian club CR Belouizdad and Stade d’Abidjan from the Ivory Coast.
The Swiss coach understands the tricky task that awaits his team and has therefore summoned his charges for a talk, warning them not to underestimate any side given the threat they pose.
According to KickOff, Koller pointed out how difficult it will be to play against Algerian side Belouizdad, who they faced last season with both matches ending goalless, while he singled out Pirates for their quality, experience and form.
Pirates’ good form should worry Egyptian giants
The Soweto giants are unbeaten in 10 matches this season after eight wins and two draws and also have a good record against the Egyptian giants which should give them confidence when they take on the 12-time champions.
Al Ahly and Pirates’ last meeting took place in 2015 when the South African giants won both home and away in a CAF Confederation Cup tie.
Pirates recorded a 1-0 home victory in September that year before edging a thrilling seven-goal encounter 4-3 in Cairo.
That was after the two sides had cashed four times in 2013 when Pirates won one as Al Ahly claimed another while two matches ended in draws.
The Sea Robbers boast a good record against Al Ahly
The Soweto giants claimed a 1-0 win in August that year before a goalless draw in the return leg in September and they would meet again in November when the first leg ended 1-1 in South Africa before Al Ahly claimed a 2-0 victory in the second leg.
Pirates will be hoping for a similar outcome in their group matches to be among the two teams that sail through to the next round.
Jose Riveiro’s men will host the first leg on December 6 before the return match takes place on January 25, 2025.