Former Al Ahly star Osama Orabi has voiced strong criticism of the team’s performance following their defeat to Tunisia’s Esperance in the first leg of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.
Speaking after the match, Orabi said that although Al Ahly possess talented players, the level of commitment within the squad varies significantly. He suggested that the team’s inconsistent performances have affected their ability to compete at the highest level.
Despite the defeat, the former midfielder believes the Egyptian side still has the capacity to overturn the result when the teams meet again in the second leg.
Concerns Over Player Commitment
Orabi shared his views during radio comments on ON Sport FM, where he analysed Al Ahly’s performance and pointed to differences in attitude among the players.
He explained that the team has a number of high-quality footballers but argued that the level of dedication and fighting spirit is not the same across the squad.
According to Orabi, some players demonstrated determination and strong performances during the match, while others struggled to maintain the same level of effort and focus.
Praise for Key Performers
While criticising the overall performance, Orabi singled out several players for praise, highlighting their commitment and contribution during the match.
He commended the performances of Trezeguet, Marwan Attia, Dieng and Yasser Ibrahim, noting that they showed the type of spirit required in crucial fixtures such as Champions League knockout matches.
These players, he suggested, represented the level of determination the team needs if it is to recover from the first-leg defeat.
Inconsistency Affecting the Team
Orabi also pointed to inconsistency as one of the main problems facing the squad.
According to him, certain players deliver strong performances in some matches but fail to maintain that standard in others. This fluctuation, he said, creates instability within the team and limits their ability to compete consistently throughout the competition.
For a club with Al Ahly’s ambitions and history, maintaining a stable and reliable level of performance is essential.
Hope for a Comeback
Despite his criticism, Orabi remains optimistic that Al Ahly can still turn the situation around in the second leg of the quarter-final tie against Esperance.
He stressed that the team possesses the quality required to recover from the defeat, provided the players produce a more consistent display and demonstrate stronger team spirit.
Qualification Scenarios
Al Ahly will enter the return match knowing that victory is essential to keep their Champions League campaign alive.
To secure direct qualification to the semi-finals, the Egyptian club must win by a margin of two goals or more.
If Al Ahly wins the match 1-0 — the same scoreline by which they lost the first leg — the tie will move to extra time. Should the aggregate score remain level after the additional periods, the winner would then be decided through a penalty shootout.
With the second leg approaching, the pressure will be on Al Ahly to deliver a convincing performance and overcome Esperance in order to advance to the next stage of the CAF Champions League.
