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Egyptian giants Al Ahly are perennial contenders for the CAF Champions League and have won the tournament a record six times, the most recent of their continental triumphs coming in 2008.

The ‘Red Devils’ were founded in 1907 and have the distinction of being the most successful African football team – they were even declared African club of the century by CAF.

Ahly’s showings in the Champions League in recent years have been below their high standards, so in 2012 they will be looking to re-establish themselves as the dominant force they were in the mid to late 2000s when they reached four successive finals and picked up the trophy three times.

The Egyptians eased past Ethiopian Coffee 3-0 on aggregate before being given a scare by Mali’s Stade Malien in the final preliminary stage, where they won 3-2 on aggregate and could well have been knocked out.

Now they find themselves in a tough Group A alongside eternal Cairo rivals Zamalek, DR Congo powerhouses TP Mazembe and Berekum Chelsea of Ghana. The Red Devils will need to be at their best to reach the final four.

Portuguese Manuel Jose has masterminded some of Ahly’s best years and will be determined to relive the glory days with what is an experienced and talented squad, many of whom are regulars with the Egyptian national team.