A sense of urgency is gripping Al Ahly, with calls for significant change following their elimination from the CAF Champions League at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns. The Egyptian giants were knocked out after a 0-0 draw in South Africa and a 1-1 stalemate at the Cairo International Stadium.
The club is now reportedly preparing to part ways with Swiss coach Marcel Koller, according to multiple reports. An urgent meeting has been scheduled to determine his future, and the broader direction of the team. This comes after a cautionary message issued by Koller himself ahead of the semi-final clash, where he warned of Sundowns’ potential threats.
Koller’s warning, issued in April 2025, acknowledged the difficulty of facing Miguel Cardoso’s Mamelodi Sundowns, but expressed confidence in Al Ahly’s ability to overcome the South African champions. He stated, according to Ahlynews.com, “Al-Ahly is capable of overcoming Sundowns in the semi-finals. The match will be extremely difficult, and their opponent has the same motivations as us.”
The elimination marks a setback for Al Ahly, who were aiming for a record 13th Champions League title. Sundowns, meanwhile, were seeking their second trophy. Al Ahly’s last victory over Sundowns in the tournament dates back to May 2021.
The situation is further complicated by reports of internal dissent, highlighted by a message posted on social media by sports critic Mahmoud Sabri, editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram Al-Riyadi. Sabri’s message, which sparked widespread debate among Al Ahly fans, called for the club to be “saved from its people” before it is too late.
Al Ahly’s immediate focus now shifts to their upcoming match against JS Kabylie of Algeria on , as part of the Group Stage of the CAF Champions League. The match is scheduled for 9:00 PM local time. This follows a 1-1 draw against Yanga Africans of Tanzania on , which maintained Al Ahly’s position at the top of Group Two with 8 points.
The club’s recent struggles extend beyond the Champions League. In the past, Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane, speaking in May 2022, highlighted concerns about an injury crisis within the team, and suggested that the Egyptian football system needed to learn from other leagues, such as the English Premier League, which allows for adequate rest and recovery periods for players.
Mosimane, at the time preparing for a Champions League final against Wydad Casablanca, pointed to a series of muscular injuries affecting key players – Hamdy Fathi, Amr El-Solia, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Yasser Ibrahim, Aliou Dieng, and Mohamed El-Shenawy – as a direct result of fixture congestion without sufficient breaks. He argued that prioritizing continental competition, even with a demanding schedule, was preferable to a less congested domestic schedule that resulted in early elimination from tournaments.
The current crisis at Al Ahly raises questions about the long-term strategy of the club and the challenges of balancing domestic and continental ambitions. The appointment of a new coach will be crucial, as will addressing the underlying issues of player fitness and squad depth. The club’s supporters will be looking for decisive action to restore Al Ahly to its position as a dominant force in African football.
The upcoming match against JS Kabylie will be a key test for the team, and a chance to demonstrate their resilience in the face of adversity. The pressure will be immense, as Al Ahly seeks to navigate this challenging period and salvage their season.
