Orlando Pirates face a stiff test when they take on Egyptian giants Al Ahly in Saturdays first leg of the Caf Champions League final. It seems without question that The Club of the Century are a side filled with plenty of quality and pedigree. Read: Al Ahly Hold First Training Session Their unmatched record of seven Champions League titles is a testament to this. In edition 845 of this weeks Soccer-Laduma, a full rundown has been provided of Al Ahlys potential strengths and weaknesses. Such is the magnitude of the game and its importance to all of South African football that even Bafana Bafana coach, Gordon Igesund, expressed his good wishes to the team ahead of the game. He said in edition 845, Al Ahly are the cream of the crop and we all know how North African sides play. Theyve had their turn, now its ours. The Siya crew have uncovered some other key numbers that could possibly be to Bucs advantage on Saturday. An in-depth analysis of Al Ahlys way of playing in attack, defensive shape and key players were looked at. The crew understands that Al Ahly play a 4-2-3-1 formation with two dedicated holding midfielders. In front of them, their influential playmaker Mohamed Aboutrika, sits in the hole as number 10. The Egyptians play more with inside wingers and it is the two fullbacks who give them the attacking width. Another point to note about the threat that Al Ahly offer is that the team have lost just three times in their last 26 Caf Champions League games. However on the plus side, Orlando Pirates made history when they defeated Al Ahly in Egypt by a record breaking 3-0 scoreline in the group stages. It was the Egyptian sides worst ever defeat at home in the Champions League and it shows, perhaps, that Pirates are primed and ready for the clubs third meeting with Al Ahly in this seasons competition.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 11:44:15 +0000
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