Allan Okello is under no illusions about the magnitude of the task facing Young Africans SC when they step onto the grand CAF Champions League stage to confront African heavyweights Al Ahly on Friday night at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria.
Ahead of what will be his Champions League debut in Yanga colours, the Ugandan playmaker has projected a mood of accountability and steely focus, fully acknowledging the unforgiving nature of a contest against the most decorated club in African football.
“Tomorrow, we play against a team that not only has quality in their starting XI but also boasts a very strong bench, which allows them to maintain intensity throughout the game. For us as players, it means every minute on the pitch will matter,” Okello said, as conducted the team’s media duties, alongside head coach Pedro Goncalves.
It was a notably composed and authoritative message from a player still in the early stages of his tenure at the Tanzanian powerhouse, having completed a high-profile move from Uganda Premier League giants Vipers SC less than a fortnight ago. Yet, Okello has wasted little time in asserting his presence, appearing increasingly assured both on and off the pitch.
The 25-year-old made his Tanzania Premier League bow on Monday and announced himself in emphatic fashion, completing the full 90 minutes as Young Africans dismantled Mashujaa FC 6-0.
His assured display drew widespread acclaim and further vindicated Goncalves’ confidence, with Okello subsequently entrusted to handle pre-match media duties alongside the Portuguese tactician ahead of one of the defining fixtures of the group stage.
Friday’s showdown, however, will not be entirely uncharted territory for the gifted midfielder. Intriguingly, this will mark the third occasion he comes up against Al Ahly in continental competition.
He first encountered the Egyptian giants during his formative years with KCCA FC, when the Ugandan side famously stunned Al Ahly 2-0 in Kampala. The return leg in Cairo produced a pulsating 4-3 defeat for KCCA, a night Okello will remember fondly, having found the net as a 17-year-old to score his side’s third goal.
That formative experience now serves as both a source of belief and a reservoir of personal motivation as he prepares for this latest duel.
Young Africans head into the Group B encounter level on four points with Al Ahly after two matches, with the Egyptians occupying top spot solely by virtue of a superior goal difference of +3. Okello is acutely conscious of the mental resilience and physical commitment required to navigate such a demanding contest.
“We must be ready to fight for every ball, stay focused from the first whistle to the last, and take responsibility whenever the opportunity comes,” he added.
“Both teams have good players. What will make the difference is how we shall use our opportunities and minimize mistakes. We will need great focus, discipline, and proper use of chances.”
“We respect our opponents but we also believe in our abilities. Every match is an opportunity to continue growing.”
Friday night in Alexandria represents far more than a routine group-stage fixture for Okello. It is another defining chapter in his evolving CAF Champions League narrative, an opportunity to draw upon hard-earned experience and test his mettle once more against Africa’s most illustrious football institution.
