Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller has reportedly threatened three of his stars with long-term spells on the bench after their poor performances against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their African Football League semi-final.
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The Red Devils remain winless in African club football's newest competition following their 1-0 loss in Tshwane this past weekend, and will have to remedy that in front of 50 000 Ahly spectators as a victory by two clear goals is in the second leg is needed if they are to face either Wydad Athletic Club or Esperance Sportive de Tunis in the tournament's final.
If they are to defeat Masandawana, however, they will have to produce a better showing than they did at Loftus Versfeld, and perhaps nobody understands that more pertinently that their 62-year-old Swiss manager, who is believed to be extremely disappointed by his team's performance last weekend.
According to Egyptian journalist Mohamed Shabana, the ex-Basel manager was particularly displeased with the displays by right-back Mohamed Hany, Mali international Aliou Dieng and attacker Salah Mohsen. The Zurich-born tactician is said to be so angry with the trio's showing in South Africa that he has threatened them with lengthy spells on the bench if they continue to perform below expectations.
It was not just Koller who is believed to have had words with the squad, with the same report claiming that club captain Mohamed El Shenawy has held meetings with the players to try and break whatever psychological barrier Sundowns seem to have over them.
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The participants of the AFL's first-ever final will be revealed on Wednesday night, with the second legs of both semi-finals involving Ahly, Sundowns, Wydad and Esperance set to take place then.
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