Gomaa Prefers Sundowns Clash for Al Ahly Over North African Rivals

As anticipation builds for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League preliminary round draws, former Al Ahly defender Wael Gomaa has weighed in on potential matchups, articulating a distinct preference for the Egyptian giants to confront South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns rather than North African rivals Esperance Sportive de Tunis or Wydad Athletic Club.

Gomaa's rationale stems from a desire for matches focused purely on football, free from the heightened tensions that can accompany regional encounters. He highlighted the often-turbulent atmosphere surrounding games against Tunisian and Moroccan opposition.

"I prefer that Al-Ahly face the South African team because they only care about football, unlike Esperance of Tunisia or Wydad of Morocco"— Wael Gomaa.

He elaborated on the challenges posed by such fixtures, referencing past experiences with Esperance in Tunis and Wydad in Casablanca, which he described as frequently involving violent incidents, heavy security presence, and psychological tactics. Despite this preference, Gomaa acknowledged the formidable strength of both Esperance and Wydad, noting their extensive experience in continental competitions and their reinforced squads.

Looking back at the 2025/26 season, the teams in question demonstrated varying degrees of success. Mamelodi Sundowns enjoyed a stellar campaign, clinching the CAF Champions League title with a 2-1 aggregate victory over AS FARTeam·AS FAR of Morocco in the final. Domestically, they finished 2nd in the South African Premiership, while securing 2nd place in their CAF Champions League group.

Esperance Sportive de Tunis also had a strong showing in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, reaching the semi-finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns with a 2-0 aggregate defeat. Domestically, Esperance finished as runners-up in the Tunisian Ligue 1Competition·Ligue 1 with 63 points and secured both the Tunisian CupCompetition·Tunisian Cup and Tunisian Super CupCompetition·Tunisian Super Cup.

Al Ahly FC themselves were prominent contenders in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, topping their group and advancing to at least the quarter-finals, where they were scheduled to meet Esperance. In the Egyptian Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League, Al Ahly concluded their season in 3rd position with 40 points.

In contrast, Wydad Athletic Club participated in the CAF Confederation CupCompetition·CAF Confederation Cup during the 2025/26 season, reaching the group stage of that competition, and did not feature in the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League. Domestically, Wydad finished 5th in Morocco's Botola Pro, recording 13 wins, 4 draws, and 13 losses.

Gomaa's comments underscore the complex dynamics of African club football, where sporting rivalry often intertwines with regional pride and historical encounters. As the draw approaches, the strategic implications of each potential matchup will undoubtedly be a key talking point for clubs and fans alike.