Al Ahly request Caf to reschedule Champions League quarterfinal clash with Mamelodi Sundowns

Egyptian side Al Ahly has requested for a new date as they get ready to face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Caf Champions League quarterfinals.

The Red Devils are set to face the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants on April 5, but the Egyptians want to play the match a day later.

“There are difficulties in playing the game on 5 April as we are supposed to arrive in South Africa on the fourth (April 4),” a statement reads on Al Ahly’s website.

According to the club’s football director, Said Abdelhafiz, he says travelling to the Southern part of the continent will take its toll on the players.

“The long flight to South Africa will cause great pressure on the players as they won’t have the needed rest before the match,” he added.

Although the club has dispatched a letter to the football governing body, Caf is yet to respond in relation to moving the game, but the KingFut website reports that the North African suggest that Caf has already accepted the plea and the match will be moved from Friday to Saturday.

“I am hoping the Caf will appreciate our circumstances and postpone the game for one day,” Abdelhafiz concluded.

In addition, the two sides will meet for the first time since 2007 where the North Africans defeated Sundowns 4-2 on aggregate.

The Red Devils were drawn against Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarter-finals of the Caf Champions League after topping their group whilst Sundowns advanced from the group stages as runners-up to Wydad Casablanca.