Stade D’Abidjan coach Alexandre Lafitte has stated that African Champions Al Ahly have enough quality to play in Ligue 1.
The reigning African champions, Al Ahly, have been placed in Group C alongside Algerian club CR Belouizdad, South African side Orlando Pirates, and Ivorian team Stade d’Abidjan.
Speaking to Channel 1, the French manager said: “We are in a tough group because we have been drawn with some of the most experienced teams in Africa especially Al Ahly who has been one of the best teams in Africa in the past years.
“We enter this competition to explore it again and have ambitions to go far. Being with Al Ahly in the same group excites us because these are the games that make players and managers.
“Al Ahly has many international players. I can compare them to some of the biggest teams in Europe. I followed Abdelmoneim’s transfer to OGC Nice, Mohamed El Shenawy is one of the best goalkeepers in Africa and Koller is well known in the coaching circles.
“Al Ahly can play in Ligue 1 and can participate in the UEFA Champions League. We have to be at our best when we play them.
“I have known we will play in the CAF Champions League since arriving in Abidjan. I have worked on preparing the players since I arrived here and we have some good players. We will work hard to qualify from the group.”