Al Ahly of Egypt and Raja Casablanca of Morocco will reopen hostilities when they clash in a CAF Champions League quarterfinal, first leg match on the evening of Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the Cairo International Stadium.

It starts at 9 p.m. CAT.

Ahly narrowly avoided elimination from the tournament due to their head-to-head record.

They tied Sudan’s Al Hilal for 10th place on the standings, four points behind Mamelodi Sundowns, who won Group B.

However, Ahly defeated Hilal 3-0 in Cairo on the final day of group stage play, overshadowing Hilal’s 1-0 victory at home.

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The most points (16), goals (17), and highest goal difference (+14) of any side in the group stage this season belonged to Raja, which went undefeated to the top of Group C (which also included Simba SC, Horoya AC, and Vipers SC).

Ahly enters the match in excellent form, having won five straight games in all competitions, including a victory over Pyramids FC earlier this month to clinch the 38th Egyptian FA Cup.

Raja’s recent performances have been inconsistent, including a stretch of four straight losses in their domestic league, but coach Mondher Kebaier is certain that Raja will secure a positive result away from home – despite their efforts to manage an injury issue.

Ahly and Raja have faced each other nine times in CAFCL and CAF Super Cup competitions, according to head-to-head statistics. Five games have been tied, while the Green Eagles and Red Devils each have two outright victories (plus one victory via penalty kicks).

The teams last faced off in the Champions League quarterfinals, with Ahly winning 3-2 on aggregate after two legs.

On Saturday, April 29, the second leg encounter will take place at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca. The semifinal opponents for the aggregate winners will be either JS Kabylie (Algeria) or Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia).