Pirates, Ahly renew TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2013 final rivalry

It has been more than a decade since current TotalEnergies CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly met with former champions Orlando Pirates in what was one of the most memorable two-legged finals of Africa’s most prestigious club competition.

November 2013 marked what would be the 8th TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title for the Egyptian giants, coming at the expense of a Pirates side that was yearning for continental success since their 1995 triumph in Cote d’Ivoire.

A 1-1 stalemate in Orlando courtesy of a sublime free kick by the legendary Mohamed Aboutrika, which was cancelled out by a long-range strike by Thabo Matlaba, concluded a dramatic first leg ahead of what would be a 2-0 second leg victory for the Egyptians in Cairo to shatter the South Africans’ ambitions of lifting the title for the second time.

Since then, the Red Devils have went on to win four more titles to extend their record to 12, while the Buccaneers continue to aim for what has been an elusive continental crown.

Pirates have since come agonisingly close to tasting continental success after stumbling in the final hurdle in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2015 final against Etoile du Sahel and again in the 2022 final against RS Berkane.

Following their disappointing preliminary round exit last season, the former champions under the tutelage of Spanish coach Jose Riveiro are now looking like a side that is ready to contest Africa’s biggest club competition.

Their domestic form has been nothing short of exceptional, with four cup wins under the Spanish mentor in the last two seasons.

Pirates’ opening Group C match was a strong signal of intent as they overcame Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in a hostile 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers.

The Egyptian giants on the other hand remain strong title contenders and have shown great continental pedigree over the years.

Led by their Swiss coach Marcel Kohler, who has won two back-to-back TotalEnergies CAF Champions League titles, Ahly look to continue their dominance on the continent.

Seasoned campaigners like Hussein El Shahat and South African-born Percy Tau will be key for the more fancied Egyptians, while the exciting emergence of youngsters Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota, who scored a scorcher against Belouizdad, will be troublesome for the Egyptians.

Kick off at Orlando Stadium is at 15h00 local time (13h00 GMT).