Ismailia's players are hoping to celebrate a win on Saturday

Egypt's bid to win a third straight Champions League title rests with Ismailia who host Tunisia's Esperance in the first leg of the semi-finals on Saturday.

Ismailia are aiming to emulate Al Ahly and Zamalek, the Cairo giants who won the competition in 2001 and 2002 respectively.

Nicknamed "Daraweesh" and based in the coastal city of the same name some 150 kilometres from Cairo, Ismailia do not enjoy the same financial support as the capital's giants and are keen to grab the million dollar prize money.

Yet Ismailia's German manager Theo Bucker is approaching the first leg of the semi-final with caution.

"Everyone here is enthusiastic and dreams of victory, but we should not underestimate Esperance, as they are one of the most experienced sides in Africa," Bucker told the BBC Sport website.

"There is another leg in Tunis, so we have to get the most out of this leg at home."

Ismailia finished second in Group A, with an impressive home record that included a 6-1 thrashing of group winners Enyimba of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Esperance won Group B in convincing fashion, going through their six games unbeaten and drawing only two games that were both played away from home.