Al Ahly will face CR Belouizdad on Sunday at the Cairo International Stadium for their decisive group stage match of the 2024 CAF Champions League. This encounter was originally scheduled for the previous weekend but had to be postponed due to Al Ahly’s participation in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. With both teams seeking points, the stakes are high.
The current standings place Orlando Pirates at the top with 5 points from 3 games. Al Ahly holds 4 points from just 2 matches, followed by CR Belouizdad, who stand at 3 points from 2 games. Stade d’Abidjan, sitting at the bottom with only 1 point, rounds out Group C. This makes the upcoming match especially significant as both teams need to secure victory to advance confidently.
Al Ahly is working to recover from recent setbacks, including their bitter loss to Pachuca, which ended in penalties during the Intercontinental Cup final. Coach Marcel Koller is determined to restore confidence within the squad, especially after three games without scoring. Key players are feeling the burden of form, with wingers Hussein El Shahat and Wessam Abou Ali struggling to find the back of the net consistently. Despite these troubles, there’s hope for the return of Percy Tau to the starting lineup after missing some time due to injury. Unfortunately, the team will miss the services of winger Taher Mohamed and defender Omar Kamal for this matchup.
On the other side, CR Belouizdad has seen improvements since Abdelkader Amrani became their head coach. Despite these gains, the relationship between Amrani and star striker Islam Slimani has been rocky, with Slimani playing just eight minutes across the last three matches. Yet the team has shown resilience through the efforts of players like Aymen Mahious and Khanyisa Mayo, complemented by a solid defensive line featuring Chouaib Keddad and Houcine Benayada.
It is imperative for both teams to secure points on Sunday to improve their chances of progression. Koller emphasized the importance of fan support, stating, "We anticipate a tough challenge against a formidable opponent. Tomorrow's match against Belouizdad is important for us, giving our recent results," at the pre-match press conference. Meanwhile, Amrani highlighted the determination within his team: "Our focus is on securing at least a point...we must maintain composure, retain possession, and remain confident."
Despite facing challenges, both teams are aware of the magnitude of this clash. Al Ahly, historically the most successful club in the competition's history, has set high expectations, boasting 11 titles. Their recent goal drought is atypical, and adjustments must be made if they are to reclaim their formidable attacking identity. Observers note the Red Devils have amassed four points from their matches so far—using their home advantage wisely will be key to their strategy.
CR Belouizdad, having managed to secure their first win of the tournament against Stade d'Abidjan, will aim to build on this momentum. After losing their opening match against Orlando Pirates, the Algerian club must now find ways to disrupt Al Ahly's defensive setup and exploit any weaknesses, hoping to snag at least one point from this challenging away game.
With both sets of players driven to perform well and fans passionate about their teams’ fortunes, this match promises to be intensely competitive. Every possession, tackle, and goal attempt will carry immense significance—setting the stage for what could be an unforgettable encounter as Al Ahly takes on CR Belouizdad right here in Cairo.
Whether Al Ahly can shift gears from their recent shortcomings and whether CR Belouizdad can capitalize on their current form will be revealed soon within the confines of the Cairo International Stadium. Fans and analysts alike will eagerly await the outcome of this pivotal match, as both teams vie for their places among the elite of African football.
