Al Ahly boss Marcel Koller has reportedly given his players a warning after drawing Orlando Pirates in the group stage of the 2024/25 CAF Champions League.
During the draw that took place on Monday afternoon, the Egyptian giants discovered that they will be competing in Group C against Algerian outfit CR Belouizdad, Stade d'Abidjan of the Ivory Coast, and South Africa's Orlando Pirates.
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The Swiss boss has since called a meeting with his players about the upcoming continental campaign and the challenges they are set to face as they look to defend their status as reigning champions, according to El Watan.
He is believed to have expressed the difficulty of playing the specific teams in the group, and warned his stars against underestimating them.
The Red Devils were drawn in the same group as Belouizdad last season too, and struggled against their Algerian opponents as both matches ended goalless, which the Swiss tactician is said to have pointed this out to his players.
He is also claimed to have warned against the threat posed by Pirates, who are currently second on the Betway Premiership, level on points with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a better goal difference over the Buccaneers.
It is reported that he also highlighted their experience in Africa, with the Soweto-based side being previous winners of the CAFCL having famously won the title in 1995, while they have also shown their abilities in cup competitions recent times, having won the MTN 8 three years in a row, while they are also the reigning Nedbank Cup champions.
Koller is also said to have insisted that Stade d'Abidjan is one of the top teams on the continent, despite being unknown to them, because they managed to qualify for the group stage of the continental showpiece.
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The Red Devils will kick their CAFCL campaign off with a clash against the Ivorian outfit on 26 November, and will no doubt be determined to get their title defence off to a positive start.