Focus shifts to TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup as Ahly, USMA clash looms
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Following an exciting photo-finish to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Qualifiers that saw the final 24 nations officially concluded for next year’s continental showpiece, all eyes shift to the highly-anticipated duel between Al Ahly SC and USM Alger in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup.
The two north African sides take each other on this Friday at the iconic King Fahd Stadium located in the city of Taif, Saudi Arabia for the ultimate showdown that will crown the kings of African club football for the 2022/23 season.
Al Ahly go into the clash carrying the favourites tag, with this being their eleventh appearance - having won an impressive eight and losing two to make them the most successful club in this competition.
Their Algerian opponents, USM Alger are making their debut but will be looking at adding a chapter to the rich Algerian history books by being the second club to lift the CAF Super Cup after ES Setif edged Ahly in a dramatic penalty shootout in 2015.
Ahly, who had a slow start to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League showed their mettle when it mattered the most as they marched on to a record-equalling 11th CAF Champions League gold medal with a 3-2 win over arch-rivals, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco.
USMA on the other hand lifted their first-ever continental title when they edged Tanzania’s Young Africans in the two-legged affair for a historic win that also affords them a shot at being crowned African club football kings should they overcome Al Ahly.
Kick Off at the King Fahd Stadium is at 21h00 Local Time (18h00 GMT)
