The ten-time CAFCL winners need nothing less than a win to progress to the quarterfinals; a win or draw for Hilal will send Ahly packing in the competition, while Hilal progress.
Al Ahly defeated CotonSport 4-0 in Cameroon on match day 5, thanks to a by Kahraba, while Al Hilal drew 1-all against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
The club issued a statement on Wednesday, apologising to their fans for withdrawing their participation in the Egyptian League Cup in order to focus on their do or die CAFCL tie.
Media outlets and Egyptian Football legends have been vocal about the permutations surrounding Al Ahly situation in Group B and went all the way to accuse group B leaders, Sundowns, of working a plan to eliminate Ahly in the competition.
Reports in Egypt further say CAF has granted Al Ahly permission to host 50000 fans in their final Group B CAFCL tie against AL Hilal of Sudan on Saturday the first of April 2023.
The move follows the announcement that the senior national team will have 20000 spectators in their AFCON qualifier against Malawi on Friday.
Spectators were banned in Egyptian football after a stampede which killed 28 football fans on 8 February 2015 in a match between Zamalek and ENNPI at the 30 June Stadium. It remains to be seen how Egyptian football authorities handle the crowds on the day should Ahly fail to win.
OFFICIAL: Al Ahly announce their withdrawal from Egyptian League Cup due to the busy schedule! pic.twitter.com/Hx6v4jazI0
— KingFut.com (@King_Fut) March 21, 2023
