Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane has assured his players must play to their full strength in the return-leg against Esperance despite their away victory.
Mohamed Sherif’s second-half strike against Tunisia’s Esperance was enough for Al Ahly to secure the first leg win in the CAF Champions League semi-finals, giving them a big advantage going into the second leg.
The Reds now need a win or at least a draw at home to reach their fourth Champions League final in the last five years.
Speaking on the encounter, Pitso said: “We will play the Esperance match tomorrow with a few advantages.
“We scored a goal in Tunisia, but this doesn’t mean we have qualified for the final. We must strive tomorrow to achieve our goal, while making sure to keep a clean sheet.
“The match will be open from both sides. I expect that. It will be decided by the result, not the performance, but I certainly am waiting for a good performance from the players that will lead us to the goal we seek, which is qualifying for the final.
In response to a question about the preference of Al Ahly having two chances to qualify, through a win or a draw, unlike his opponents, Mosimane replied: “I don’t like to play more than one possibility.
“Al Ahly fans are an important and decisive factor in the matches, but the team has not played any African match with fans since last season.
“I hope to see them in the stands, because they are the 12th player in Al Ahly,” he concluded.
