On The Mark: Al Ahly’s SA challenge - Can Pirates tame the continental kings?

Al Ahly visit South Africa this weekend in the African Champions League, offering fans another look at a continental institution.

The Egyptian giants, who have had more success in continental club competition than any other side, are taking on Orlando Pirates in a second pool match for both teams.

The last time they visited our shores was last year when Mamelodi Sundowns beat them twice – first 5-2 in the group stages of Champions League in March 2023 and then again in the African Football League in October last year.

South African clubs have posted more wins than most against Al Ahly, who certainly have a healthy respect for our top teams.

Pirates have beaten them three times, including two incredible performances in Egypt in 2013 and 2015.

But it is important to remember that in all the decisive meetings that South African clubs have had with Ahly, they have come off second best.

In 2001, Sundowns played them in the Champions League final and put on a strong showing yet got beaten 3-0 in the return leg in Cairo.

It was a match that Sundowns dominated with pretty play, but Ahly were clinical with their finishing with Khaled Bebo grabbing a hat-trick.

Pirates played them in the 2013 final after getting the better of Ahly in the group stage but a defensive error in the first leg at the Orlando Stadium was swiftly punished by Mohammed Aboutrika and there was no way back for the Buccaneers.

Ahly also beat Chiefs in the 2021 final, a one-off game in Casablanca where once Happy Mashiane was sent off just before halftime, the Egyptians ran riot in the second half and posted a 3-0 win.

They are a club with a remarkable resilience and mental fortitude.

Several of the recent Champions League group campaigns have seen them struggle yet still manage to qualify in the top two and advance to the quarterfinals.

Once they have an eye on the prize it then becomes near impossible to beat them as four titles in past five Champions League campaigns attests to.