Egyptian giants Al Ahly will start their CAF Champions League Group A campaign this evening against Tunisian side Esperance at the 86000-seater,Borg El Arab Stadium located just outside the city of Alexandria.

Both sides were crowned champions in their domestic leagues few weeks ago. Esperance got their 28th Tunisia League crown, while Al Ahly continued with their dominance with 39th Egyptian Premier League.

Going by the recent domestic results it is not going to be a walk in the park for the duo who are highly regarded in the continental front.

Playing before the home crowd Al Ahly will be looking to grab maximum points from the Tunisia side whom they have met in a total of sixteen time for the last 18 years.

Of the 16 meetings from the CAF database, Ahly has emerged victors on six occasions, three for Esperance with seven meetings failing to produce a winner. Ahly has scored 18 goals compared to 11 for Esperance.

“The Champions League title is the dream of all of us and also the fans. Despite the current challenges, there is no way to let the African title go to another team,” said Al Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry.

The Cairo giants will be without two of their dependable players that is Moroccan striker Walid Azaro and Nigerian winger Junior Ajayi who have been side-lined by injuries.

“It’s a tough situation no doubt, but we will make sure to have the suitable players for the match. We have to start in a positive way as our target is nothing but the title itself”, concluded the 2012 Champions League winning coach.

However, Coach El Badry is expected to field former Bidvest Wits winger Walid Soliman. He will also enjoy services of Ahmed Fathi, Ali Maaloul and Saad Samir, who were declared fit for the Esperance clash.