NEWS

02-04-2009

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Subject : Sfaxien seek Ahly revenge in Super Cup
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Revenge is what will be on the agenda as Al-Ahly of Egypt and Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien clash in the CAF Super Cup on Friday, February 6, at the Cairo International Stadium.

The one-off match usually between the winners of the CAF-MTN Champions League and the Confederation Cup is to determine the overall king of African club football.

For Sfaxien, the Confederation Cup holders, the game will serve a perfect platform to avenge a painful 1-2 aggregate loss to Ahly in the 2006 MTN-CAF Champions League final.

Since then, this has been the only time they are meeting again and the “Arabian Juventus” cannot afford another slip at the feet of the “Red Devils.”

After claiming a record sixth Champions League title last year, Ahly has set sights on breaking the grounds for the Super Cup as well to confirm their status as the “numero un” of African football.

The Cairo-based club has won the annual event three times, 2002, 2006 and 2007; a feat they share with bitterest rivals Zamalek (1994, 1997 and 2003) and another victory will its tally to four.

Unlike Ahly, who have the core of their team that claimed the historic Champions League feat last year; Sfaxien have suffered a few setbacks including the departure of Ghana-born striker Opoku Agyemang Prempeh to Qatari side, Al-Sadd.

The absence of Opoku, who broke the deadlock against fellows Etoile du Sahel in the Confederation Cup final, will largely affect their chances for the ultimate but coach Ghrairi Ghraib remains optimistic about his team’s chances.

The Sfax-based side lost 1-2 to Etoile in last year’s edition and a similar outcome will see them become the first club to lose back-to-back in the competition since its inception in 1993.

In Mohamed Aboutreika, a contender for the Glo-CAF Player of the Year Award; Mohamed Barakat and Ahmed Hassan, Ahly possess one of the strongest midfield on the continental club stage but will face stiff opposition from AbdelKarim Nafti and Issam Merdasi.

Aboutreika, who shattered the hopes of Sfaxien during the last encounter with a spectacular last-gasp volley, is expected to play the lead role once again.