September 15 – Saudi Arabia and the city of Taif will stage the African Super Cup today between Champions League winners Al Ahly and CAF Cup winners Union Sportive de la Médina d’Alger.
Last season, Egypt’s Al Ahly were the dominant force at home and on the continent and they will seek to add the Super Cup to their trophy cabinet against USM Alger when they face the Algerians at the King Fath Stadium in Tair.
“Ahly is, on paper, the favourite to win, given its history and the titles it holds, not to mention being the team of the century. At the same time, we respect our Egyptian brothers and respect Al Ahly. Despite all of this, we also want to win,” said USM Alger manager Abdelhak Benchikha in an interview with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
It’s the first time the African Super Cup will be staged in Saudi Arabia. The flagship match had never left the African continent until 2019 when Doha hosted the first of four Super Cups in Qatar.
CAF is one of two confederations that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has signed a memorandum of understanding with, as the Saudis seek to build their network and influence.
Three weeks ago, CAF and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) announced that the match would be staged in the Arab Kingdom.
In a statement at the time, CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba said: “We are delighted to present the CAF Super Cup in a new territory in Saudi Arabia – a country that has made significant strides in world football. African football currently ranks among the best in the world, and it’s only right that at a time when many international stars are heading for Saudi Arabia, African football should also be part of this movement. On behalf of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, I would like to thank the Saudi football family for their cooperation, and we look forward to what will be an exciting CAF Super Cup.”
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