A classic Champions League night in Rades

Hamadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades hosts on Friday night another Champions League showdown between two of the African superpowers, Esperance of Tunisia and Al Ahly of Egypt. 

The two teams meet again in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final with each team hoping for an advantage ahead of the second leg in Cairo after a week. 

The last clash between the two teams in the competition was in the same stage in 2021 with the Egyptian side winning 4-0 on aggregate in their route to clinch the 10th Champions League title in their history. 

"It is a big game between two great teams who know each other very well. We want to achieve a good result in Rades ahead of the return leg. We have much respect for Esperance. They have a strong squad but we will fight tomorrow to return to Cairo with a good result." Mohamed El Shenawy, Al Ahly captain, stated. 

Al Ahly have a very successful record in Rades against the Tunisian teams as the Red Eagles celebrated two CAF Champions League titles in Rades. The first one was in 2006 against CS Sfaxien and they have done it again against Esperance in 2012. 

Al Ahly's last visit to the stadium in 2021 was great as Mohamed Sherif gave them a 1-0 win, which made their mission easier in Cairo. 

Esperance will miss their veteran goalkeeper, Moez Ben Cherifia, due to injury and they will also miss their passionate fans as CAF decided to play the match behind closed doors after violent incidents involving the fans of Esperance took place during their game against Algeria's JS Kabylie in the second leg of the quarter finals. 

The game starts at 10:00 PM (Cairo Time).