Coach Riveiro sets firm guidelines for Ahly players from Spain
Al Ahly FC, Egypt's most decorated club with 12 CAF Champions League titles, has started their journey in the 2025-26 edition of Africa's premier club competition under the guidance of new coach Jose Riveiro. The team, which plays its home games at the Cairo International Stadium with a capacity of 75,000, is aiming to reclaim the continental title after a heartbreaking semi-final exit last season.
Unlike other teams, Al Ahly has been seeded into the second qualifying round, bypassing the first round of qualifiers. The qualification draw, held on August 9, 2025, has not yet revealed the specific opponents for Al Ahly in the upcoming qualification rounds. However, they will face stiff competition from other qualifying clubs, such as Pyramids FC of Egypt, who will be squaring off against Rwanda's APR in their opening match.
If Al Ahly manages to advance through the qualifiers, they could potentially face some of the continent's top clubs in the group stage. The Champions League features 10 former CAF Champions League winners and several winners of other CAF tournaments.
Coach Riveiro, who joined Al Ahly last May after spending three successful seasons with Orlando Pirates in South Africa, has emphasized the importance of high standards and a commitment to tactics for the squad. He expressed his disappointment after the team's Club World Cup performance, where they drew with Inter Miami and Porto, led four times, and lost to Brazilian outfit Palmeiras. Riveiro made it clear that there is no room for names or favoritism in the team.
In their first match of the new Egyptian Premier League season, Ahly drew 2-2 away to Modern Future, who finished 14th last season. Despite the draw, the team will be eager to focus on the Champions League and make amends for last season's semi-final loss to Mamelod Sundowns of South Africa.
Winning the Champions League is of significant importance for Al Ahly, as it guarantees qualification for the 2029 Club World Cup. Riveiro shares the ambition of previous Ahly coaches to win every competition they participate in.
As the qualifying rounds unfold, Al Ahly fans will be watching closely to see how their team fares against the competition and whether they can bring the coveted trophy back to Cairo.
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