Danish coach Thorup makes winning African debut with Ahly

On Saturday, Danish manager Jess Thorup notched a successful first appearance in the CAF Champions League as Al Ahly clinched a 1-0 triumph over Burundi's Aigle Noir in Bujumbura for the opening leg of their qualifying tie.

The East African encounter in the second qualifying round hinged on an own goal, with Kanyamukenge Iragi diverting a cross from Mohamed Hany into his own net at the 36-minute mark.

Thorup stepped in for Spanish coach Jose Riveiro, who had linked up with the 12-time African title holders halfway through 2025 after departing South Africa's Orlando Pirates.

Riveiro parted ways with the club following a solitary win in four Egyptian Premier League outings. He also could not guide Ahly beyond the group phase during the Club World Cup in the United States.

Before this role, Thorup had led teams in Denmark, Belgium, and Germany. He was relieved of his duties by Bundesliga side Augsburg back in May.

Al Ahly lifted the Champions League trophies in 2023 and 2024, though for the fourth instance, they fell short of extending consecutive successes into a record third in a row.

They were ousted by Mamelodi Sundowns via the away goals tiebreaker in last season's semi-finals, and the pair remain prime candidates for glory this time around.

With byes through the initial qualifying round, Al Ahly and Sundowns await further progress, as the South Africans prepare for a tough road test against Nigeria's Remo Stars this Sunday.

Nigeria's alternative hopefuls, Rivers United, hit a stumbling block in the last qualifying phase ahead of the 16-team group draw, succumbing 1-0 to Mozambique's Black Bulls in Maputo.

Black Bulls' decisive moment came courtesy of 20-year-old Senegalese forward Moctar Diallo, who struck just five minutes after the interval.

Tanzania's battle-hardened Young Africans joined the list of away sides to stumble, dropping a 1-0 decision to Malawi's Silver Strikers in Lilongwe after Andrew Joseph's 76th-minute strike.

Road successes for Tunisia's four-time winners Esperance and Angola's Petro Luanda leave them well placed to progress into the group stage.