Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller believes they are not the favourites to win the return leg of their CAF Champions League fixture against Esperance on Saturday.

With the first leg in Tunisia ending in a goalless stalemate, the tie is delicately poised, with defences very much on top after a tactical chess match in Rades.

Most pundits make Ahly, record 11-time winners and chasing title number 12 in their 17th final, narrow favourites to prevail over the two legs. Koller, though, is taking nothing for granted as he pursues an eighth Egyptian or African crown since joining the Red Devils two years ago.

“Ahly and Esperance have equal chances of success,” the Swiss told reporters. “We may have more experienced campaigners, but only what happens on the pitch counts.

“Concentration will be key. One slip could prove decisive between two evenly matched sides.”

Tradition favours Ahly – only two of the previous 10 teams held 0-0 at home in the first leg have gone on to lift the title.