Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller said on Thursday he hoped the new African Football League would help improve the quality of the game in the continent and attract more players from Europe.

The Egyptian giants will face Tanzania’s Simba in the opening match of the inaugural edition of African Football League on Friday, a tournament that features eight of the best clubs in Africa.

“We are happy to be here. We have a difficult match tomorrow as each team has extra motivation against Ahly,” Koller told a news conference.

“We will be fully focused tomorrow against Simba. This championship can advance African football and encourage players to come from Europe and continue in Africa. We hope that African football will develop in the next few years," the Swiss coach added.

The African Football League aims to raise the profile and revenue of African club football and provide more exposure and opportunities for players and coaches.

Ahly skipper Mohamed El-Shennawy said his team was determined to win the title and add to their record of 24 continental trophies.

“We know this is a new championship, and Ahly always aims to win every championship it participates in,” he said.

Ahly will host Simba in the second leg of the quarter-final on Tuesday.

The winner will face either Angola’s Petro de Luanda or South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final.