African club football will witness another all–North African CAF Champions League final as Egyptian giants Al Ahly take on Tunisian powerhouse Esperance in a two-legged clash, with the first leg scheduled for Saturday, May 18, and the return leg set for May 25, 2024.
Al Ahly have reached their sixth consecutive CAF Champions League final, underscoring their enduring dominance on the continent, even as their domestic form in the Egyptian Premier League has been inconsistent this season. The Red Devils secured their place in the final with a 3-0 aggregate victory over Congo’s TP Mazembe, reinforcing their status as Africa’s most successful club.
With 11 titles already to their name, Al Ahly are aiming to claim a 12th championship, but they face a formidable challenge in Esperance. The Tunisian side earned their spot in the final after a 2-0 aggregate win over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, adding to their four CAF Champions League titles, including a back-to-back triumph in 2018 and 2019. Esperance’s record highlights their capacity to challenge Africa’s elite, making them a serious threat despite Al Ahly’s historical advantage.
The first leg in Tunis at Stade Hammadi Agrebi will be crucial for Esperance as they seek to secure a favorable result before heading to Cairo for the decisive second leg. Al Ahly will enjoy the advantage of a blazing home atmosphere in Egypt, where the passionate support of their fans could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome.
This year’s final marks the fourth all–North African showdown in five years, illustrating the region’s dominance in African football over the past decade. Should Al Ahly triumph, they will avenge their 2018 final defeat to Esperance and claim their fourth CAF Champions League title in five years—a feat reminiscent of Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League dominance from 2014 to 2018.
A victory would further cement Al Ahly’s status as Africa’s undisputed kings of club football, while also securing their place in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup next year, alongside Esperance, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Wydad Casablanca.
