Al Ahly poised to edge the unknown: a Burundi clash that could rewrite their CAF Champions League tale

Match context

The senior Al Ahly squad travels to Burundi to face Eagle Nwar in the early afternoon slot, Cairo time, for the first leg of the CAF Champions League Round of 32.

Al Ahly begins its continental campaign aiming to reclaim the title after last season’s semi-final heartbreak against Sundowns, and the team arrived by charter flight to start preparations with a light session.

The delegation’s arrival was followed by a brisk, low-intensity training day to sharpen focus without overcooking the legs before matchday.

Team news and preparations

Historically, Al Ahly and Eagle Nwar have never crossed paths in official CAF competition. The Reds do carry a proud record in Africa, and this trip represents a fresh challenge in a venue they haven’t faced before at this level.

Coach and staff, including Danish tactician Yis Turup, held a strategic briefing at the team hotel to align on game plan and roles for the visitors against the Burundian outfit.

The camp underscored that football is about effort and organization, and the goal is to deliver a solid result that sends a signal ahead of the return leg.

Team selection and preparations

The squad named for the trip includes 24 players across the lineup, with regulars and reserve options in the mix as they prepare for the demands of a continental tilt.

The team trained again on the match venue’s surface—a synthetic pitch—where CAF rules permit two training sessions here if the surface is not natural grass.

Before the session, Yees Turup conducted a technical briefing with the players to cover tactical nuances specific to Eagle Nwar and general match readiness.

On the field, Friday’s workout followed an initial day of heavy rain and thunder, which did not deter the team from focusing on shape, pressing triggers, and ball circulation ahead of kickoff.

Formalities aside, a technical meeting in the stadium with delegates from both camps and CAF officials finalized fixture logistics, including kit allocations and warm-up schedules.

Representing Al Ahly at the technical gathering were Samir Adly, Alaa Salah Eldin as security liaison, and Maher Abdel Aziz and Mohamed Osama in administrative roles.

Club chairman Mahmoud Al Khatib also placed a phone call to Walid Salah Eldin, the team’s sporting director, to confirm readiness and address any last-minute logistical issues.

Five players were ruled out of the trip due to injuries or recovery windows: Ahmed Reda, Ashraf Dari, Hussein El Shahat, Imam Ashour, and Karim Fouad. Ahmed Reda is nearing knee recovery, while Ashraf Dari requires several weeks of rehabilitation before returning to full training. Imam Ashour is undergoing continuous medical tests to monitor infection markers with no immediate sign of a return date, and Karim Fouad is expected to be eased back gradually after a short period of rest. The right-back, Fouad, is anticipated to rejoin competitive action within a week, while the rest of the squad keep pushing for a strong collective performance in Burundi.