Etoile must win by two or three goals against Ahly so that we can lose in Cairo by a goal Etoile 'keeper Austin Ejide

Etoile Sahel's goalkeeper has warned his colleagues that only a "big win" over Egypt's Ahly will give the Tunisian side a chance of lifting the African Champions League.

Austin Ejide's side host Ahly in Saturday's first leg of the million-dollar final at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse.

"We suffered against [former champions] Enyimba last year because we established only a one-goal lead at home," the Nigerian reminded his colleagues.

"How can you defend such a slender advantage in the final of the African Champions League?

"Etoile must win by two or three goals against Ahly so that we can lose in Cairo by a goal and still hold the advantage."

But a decisive victory over the three-time winners will not come easy, as the Egyptian side has a 49-match unbeaten record spanning 15 months.

Coached by Manuel Jose from Portugal, Ahly have won eight matches and drawn four on their way to the final.

They came close to ending their unbeaten run in the group stages.

Barakat has scored five goals in this year's competition

But Emad Moteab's stoppage-time equaliser ensured a 1-1 draw against Raja Casablanca.

Moteab, who has scored six goals and Mohamed Barakat, behind him with five, are Ahly's leading scorers in the competition.

Their speed and stealth pose grave threats to Ejide and a defence led by captain Kais Zouaghi, whose goal sealed a semi-final triumph over Raja in the semis.

This year's African champions qualify for the revamped Fifa Club World Championship in Japan, which Barakat admits is a huge motivation for his side.

"Our goal is to travel to Japan and become the first Egyptian club to play in the world championship.

"The road to the Far East runs through Sousse," the slightly built striker said.

Barakat is on roll, having scored three of the four goals in a semi-final success over Egyptians archrivals Zamalek.