The CAF Champions League 2025-2026 quarterfinal pits Espérance de Tunis against Egypt's Al Ahly in a highly anticipated clash. Senegalese referee Issa Sy has been appointed to officiate the first leg. Tunisian midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, now with Al Ahly, returns to face his former club amid expected hostility.
The showdown between Espérance de Tunis and Al Ahly represents a marquee matchup in the CAF Champions League 2025-2026 quarterfinals. The Confederation of African Football's refereeing committee selected Senegalese official Issa Sy to oversee the tie. Sy has previously handled four matches involving Espérance de Tunis, resulting in two wins, one draw, and two defeats for the Tunisian side. For Al Ahly, he has officiated three fixtures, yielding one victory, one draw, and one defeat for the Egyptian club.
The first leg is scheduled at the Hamadi Agrebi Stadium in Tunis, though reports differ on the exact date: one indicates Sunday, February 14, at 21:00 GMT, while another specifies Sunday, March 15. The return leg will occur at the Cairo Stadium on Saturday, March 21.
Adding intrigue is Al Ahly's Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, a 26-year-old Tunisian midfielder who emerged from Espérance's academy. He played for the club from 2018 to 2023, appearing in 143 matches across competitions, scoring 44 goals, and providing 21 assists. His move to rival Al Ahly has not been well-received by some Espérance supporters, setting the stage for a potentially fiery atmosphere in Radès during his return.
This encounter underscores the rivalry in African club football, with both teams bringing strong pedigrees to the pitch.