The 2024 CAF Champions League has been a heated match between Al Ahly and Esperance. During the first leg in Tunisia, Karim Fouad of Al Ahly and Yan Sasse of Esperance battled for possession as captured by FETHI BELAID. Now, as the second leg approaches on Saturday, the two teams are tied on aggregate after a goalless first leg.
Al Ahly is aiming to win back-to-back titles for the fourth time in their history after winning in 2005 and 2006, 2012 and 2013, and 2020 and 2021 seasons. Esperance has only achieved this once before in 2018 and 2019. This final marks the 15th consecutive year since 2010 that at least one north African club has been involved. Egypt leads in Champions League victories with 17, while Tunisia follows closely with six.
In previous encounters, Ahly has hosted Esperance a total of 11 times in various stages of the Champions League, winning five matches and drawing six. Their most recent face-off was during the 2023 semi-final second leg where Ahly secured a narrow victory through a goal by Hussein el Shahat. If they manage to remain unbeaten during this season’s final leg, they will be matching the achievement of their previous team from the year 2005 which included notable players such as Essam el Hadary, Wael Gomaa, Mohamed Aboutrika, Mohamed Barakat and Emad Moteab.
In terms of goal-scoring statistics, Ahly has scored an impressive total of nineteen goals in thirteen matches this season with top scorers like El Shahat and Mahmoud Kahraba leading the way. On the other hand, Esperance has managed only nine goals so far with Brazilian player Yan Sasse being their top scorer with three goals under his belt.
