Al Ahly have landed in Kumasi for their CAF Champions League against Medeama despite seeking a postponement.
The team’s arrival on Thursday morning followed discussions with CAF to reschedule the game after their plane experienced a breakdown at Accra Airport, causing delays.
In a statement released on Wednesday night, the Egyptian giants explained the situation, stating, “The plane carrying our team experienced a breakdown at Accra Airport, causing a delay for our delegation’s departure to Kumasi. We are in contact with CAF to postpone Friday’s match against Medeama.”
The plane carrying our team experienced a breakdown at Accra Airport, causing a delay for our delegation's departure to Kumasi. We are in contact with CAF to postpone Friday's match against Medeama. https://t.co/tgDgCClJr2
— Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) February 21, 2024
The breakdown occurred during a refueling stop at Accra Airport, where a gastric collision with the front of the fuselage led to a malfunction, rendering the plane unfit for further travel despite attempts to repair it.
Efforts to secure an alternative flight were unsuccessful, forcing the Al Ahly contingent to spend the night in Accra before their morning flight to Kumasi.
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The situation has raised concerns about potential fatique for the visiting team, and it remains uncertain whether the record holders will have a training session on the same day as their arrival. The competition rules stipulate that visiting teams must conduct at least one training session at the match venue before the matchday.
The defending champions currently lead Group D with six points, while Medeama SC sits at the bottom of the group with four points.
With two matches left in the group stage, Al Ahly’s request to shift the game from Friday to Saturday awaits CAF’s decision.
The original kick-off time is 16:00GMT on Friday, February 23, 2024.