Defending champions and 12-time winners of the CAF Champions League, Al Ahly started their title defence with an impressive 4-2 win against minnows St
Defending champions and 12-time winners of the CAF Champions League, Al Ahly started their title defence with an impressive 4-2 win against minnows Stade d’Abidjan.
Ahead of the game, Al Ahly’s head coach, Marcel Koller talked about the Red Devils’ plans to win their 13th title, so they needed a good start to the campaign.
Many expected it to be an easy tie because Stade d’Abidjan lacks experience at this level, and playing at Cairo against Al Ahly is the most difficult job on the continent now.
Al Ahly had a good start to the game by taking an early lead in the 14th minute through Kahraba. Afsha doubled the lead in the 21st minute. Five minutes later, Hussein El Shahat made it 3-0.
The night looked like it was going to be an embarrassing one for the Ivorians. 27-year-old head coach of Stade d’Abidjan, Alexander Laffite, needed to tactically up his game because his side was sinking freely.
Kassoum Kone pulled one back for the Ivorians in the 30th minute which eventually boosted their confidence.
Al Ahly restored their 3-goal lead just minutes into the second half through Kahraba. It was 4-1 within 48 minutes of action.
Former BSC Young Boys Bern’s forward Roger Asale scored for the Ivorians to make it 4-2 with 55 minutes played.
Young French coach Laffite, whose starting XI had 5 players older than him, couldn’t ask for more.
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