Thorup: Esperance clash will be tough, but our goal is the semi-finals

Al Ahly head coach Jess Thorup expects a challenging CAF Champions League quarter-final against Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis, but insists the Red Eagles are focused solely on a semi-final berth.

Thorup noted that playing the first leg away could be a significant advantage, as Al Ahly will host the return leg in Cairo.

He described the home support as a vital "positive factor" in the club’s continental campaign.

The Danish coach acknowledged the strength of the remaining field, stating that every quarter-finalist is highly motivated. However, he emphasized that any team with title aspirations must play without fear.

While Al Ahly finished top of their group, Thorup was quick to pivot to the future.

"That is now in the past," he underlined, noting that the team’s determination to win every match remains unchanged.

Thorup concluded by saying that despite the high-profile nature of the Esperance tie, the squad's immediate focus remains on domestic league action. Regardless of the competition, he maintained that Al Ahly enters every phase with one objective: victory.