Cairo primed for showdown

Aboutrika was the match-winner for Ahly in the 2006 final

It is one of sport's unwritten rules that the form book, the statistics and the odds all mean little when it comes to cup finals.
Cup finals, it is often said, are won by the team that perform best on the day.

Nonetheless, it is difficult to make a case against Ahly's credentials as favourites in Friday's second leg of the Champions League final.

After all, the Red Devils have forged themselves a formidable record in African club football over the years.

Founded 100 years ago, Ahly have won nine continental titles, five of them during a glorious era in the 1980s, when they were virtually invincible, especially in their own Cairo backyard.

But Africa's team of the last century know that they face a fight to the death against Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia.

The two sides drew 0-0 in the first leg played in the Tunisian coastal city of Sousse - a result which prompted celebrations among some Ahly supporters.

However, Magdy Abdul Ghani, one of the players responsible for Ahly's dominance of yesteryear, said that Etoile's challenge cannot be taken lightly.

He said: "I'm worried because the result in the first game is not comfortable for either team.

"Both teams have prepared very well and the Tunisians have played against Ahly many times, so they know everything about us.

"They have lost many games here in Egypt, especially the final (two years ago) when they lost 3-0, but I think the game is going to be very difficult for Ahly."