Al-Ahly seeks to dust off the weak start with “champions” at the expense of Mars

Al-Ahly of Egypt, the defending champion, will start a journey to make up for his poor start to the group stage in the African Champions League when he faces Sudan's Al-Merreikh tomorrow in Cairo.

Al-Ahly, who won the title in 2020 and 2021, drew in its first match in the group stage without goals with Al-Hilal of Sudan in Khartoum, then suffered a rare defeat at home 1-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa at the beginning of this week.

Sun Downs leads the first group standings with seven points from three matches, followed by Al-Marikh and has four points to one point for Al-Ahly.

And fought each of Al-Ahly and Al-Marikh only two matches.

Al-Ahly said on its website, "The club's president, Mahmoud Al-Khatib, called on Al-Ahly players not to pay attention to any previous missteps, and to always look forward."

Al-Ahly holds the record for winning the continental title ten times.

Al-Ahly enters the match after a big 4-1 victory over Farco in the Egyptian Premier League on Tuesday, to top the standings unbeaten after nine matches.

With the exception of those absent for a long time, including midfielder Akram Tawfiq, who has a torn cruciate ligament in the knee, Al-Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane does not suffer from significant absences before facing Al-Merreikh.

Al-Merrikh began its campaign in the group stage with a 0-0 draw with Sun Downs, before defeating its arch-rivals Al Hilal 2-1.

Al-Marikh is playing its home matches in the Champions League in the Egyptian capital, after the African Confederation (CAF) decided that its stadium in Khartoum does not meet the requirements of the tournament, which means that it will play its two matches against Al-Ahly in Cairo.

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