African football’s most enduring club rivalry will once again take centre stage this weekend as Espérance Sportive de Tunis host Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the first leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-final on Sunday, 15 March.
The clash at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Rades is widely regarded as one of the standout fixtures of the quarter-final stage, pitting together two of the most successful and decorated clubs in African football.
Both teams approach the encounter with clear objectives. Esperance are seeking redemption after their defeat to Al Ahly in the final of the 2023/24 edition of the competition, while the Egyptian champions are aiming to reinforce their dominance and continue their pursuit of yet another continental title.
With the tie to be decided over two legs, both sides know that a positive result in the opening match could prove decisive in the race for a place in the semi-finals and keep their hopes of continental glory alive.
The first leg will be played in front of what is expected to be a packed crowd in Rades, where Esperance supporters are known for creating one of the most intense atmospheres in African football.
Encounters between the Tunisian and Egyptian giants rarely disappoint, with their meetings often characterised by high intensity, tactical battles and passionate support from both sets of fans.
The familiarity between the two clubs adds another dimension to the contest. Esperance and Al Ahly have faced each other repeatedly in the CAF Champions League over the years, making their rivalry one of the most recognisable on the continent.
Their last meeting came in the final of the 2023/24 competition, when Al Ahly lifted the trophy after securing a narrow 1-0 aggregate victory across the two legs.
Both teams reached the knockout stage after strong performances in the group phase.
Esperance finished second in Group D with nine points, behind Stade Malien, securing their place in the quarter-finals after a consistent campaign.
Al Ahly, meanwhile, topped Group B with ten points, once again demonstrating their strength and experience in Africa’s premier club competition.
The Cairo-based side’s ability to navigate difficult group-stage fixtures has long been one of their trademarks in continental football.
The two teams enter the quarter-final clash in different positions in their domestic leagues.
Esperance currently lead the Tunisian Ligue 1 standings with 53 points after 23 rounds, reflecting their strong consistency and stability this season.
Al Ahly, on the other hand, are third in the Egyptian Premier League with 40 points, trailing leaders Zamalek and Pyramids FC, although the title race in Egypt remains closely contested.
History favours the Egyptian side in this famous rivalry.
Across 24 meetings in the CAF Champions League, Al Ahly have recorded 11 victories compared to four wins for Esperance, with nine matches ending in draws.
The two teams have met in no fewer than 11 different editions of the competition since their first encounter in 1990, including memorable battles in 2001, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2021 and the most recent final in 2024.
These repeated encounters have only intensified the rivalry between the two clubs and heightened anticipation whenever they meet.
The road to the final
For Al Ahly, the ambition remains clear: to continue building on their remarkable legacy in African football by chasing a 13th CAF Champions League title.
Esperance, meanwhile, are equally determined to reclaim continental glory. The Tunisian side last lifted the trophy in 2019 and are seeking to add a fifth star to their illustrious history.
The winner of this quarter-final tie will move one step closer to the final and will face the victor of the clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Stade Malien in the semi-finals.
With pride, history and a place in the last four at stake, Sunday’s showdown in Rades promises to deliver another compelling chapter in one of African football’s greatest rivalries.
