Photo Credit: Orlando Pirates Football Club
Two legendary clubs in African football face off in Group C at the 2024-25 CAF Champions League when Orlando Pirates host Egypt's Al Ahly in Johannesburg. Following victories in their Group C opening matches, top spot is at stake with the quick playing style of Pirates set to clash with the experience and prestige of 12-time African club champions Al Ahly.
Orlando Pirates
Attacker Relebohile Mofokeng is a major component of the youthful Pirates attack
Photo Credit: Orlando Pirates Football Club
The Buccaneers caused all sorts of problems in their maiden Group C clash with a fearless and high paced approach that paid dividends in a 2-1 victory at Algeria's CR Belouizdad. After often depending on veteran players in recent disappointing campaigns, Pirates are benefitting from the use of a squad that mixes experience and youth under Spanish coach José Riveiro to positive results. Riveiro and the Pirates technical staff are preparing for Ahly to emphasize possession and cautious play considering the Egyptian club's past difficulties when traveling to South Africa.
It appears that Riveiro has a formula to counter the experience of North Africa's top clubs based on the success his team enjoyed in Algeria against CRB. Youth academy graduate Mohau Nkota enjoyed a special two-goal performance against CRB and he appears set to join fellow 20-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng in the attack along with rising star Patrick Maswanganyi. The defense, balanced between veterans and rising talents, has been excellent this season where central defender Nkosinathi Sibisi captains the team.
Namibia national team player Deon Hotto continues to thrive after being moved to an attacking left back role while Thabiso Sesane (center back) and Thabiso Monyane (right back) are youth academy graduates who are gaining confidence.
Al Ahly
Ahly midfielder Marwan Attia is an important stabilizing presence
Photo Credit: Al Ahly SC
The discussion for North Africa's top clubs when traveling to sub-Saharan Africa always focuses on the heat and humidity they will encounter and it is no different based on the comments from the Ahly camp. Ahly assistant Sami Komsan highlighted this factor along with the passionate home support Pirates enjoy as difficulties the reigning African club champions will have to deal with. Outside of the absence of backup goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, Ahly will enjoy a full squad including the return of star striker Wessam Abou Ali.
The question is which attackers will line up behind Abou Ali. Hussein El Shahat and Taher Mohamed appear to be likely candidates based on their recent form but South Africa national team forward Percy Tau could be brought into the eleven after being mostly limited to substitute appearances recently.
Marwan Ateya is becoming a crucial presence in the Ahly midfield due to his steady play and could be joined by veteran Amr El Soulia who is finding his form after returning from injury. An experienced defense will be led by Egypt national team goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy with fellow veterans Yasser Ibrahim and Rami Rabia in the center of defense. This is an area that showed signs of weakness in the 4-2 victory over Stade d'Abidjan and the defensive line will be a concern for head coach Marcel Koller.
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