Ahly vs Leopards | CAF CL Match Preview 2013
Champions League title-holders Al Ahly travel to Congo-Brazzaville hoping to beat AC Leopards for their first win of the campaign.
After drawing with Cairo rivals Zamalek, record seven-time African champions Ahly crumbled 3-0 to South African visitors Orlando Pirates, a record home loss in the competition.
“The team will hold the first training session in Congo on Wednesday afternoon,” assistant coach Ahmed Ayob told the club’s official website Tuesday.
The return of young forward Amr Gamal is the highlight of the squad.
Midfielders Ahmed Fathi and Hossam Asour and goalie Mosad Awad will skip the match and play for the national team in their friendly against Uganda Wednesday as the trio are suspended.
Egypt manager Bob Bradley had previously excused keeper Sherif Ekrami, defenders Wael Gomaa, Rami Rabia and Ahmed Shedid, and midfielder Mohamed Abu-Treika from national duty.
Leopards, who boast two-metre-plus Malian Arouna Drame and an equally dangerous striker in captain Rudy Guelord Bhebey-Ndey, have won 15 of 17 home Caf games and drawn one.
The Orlando Pirates are currently leading Group A with one goal difference with the Leopards, both of which have four points, while Ahly and rivals Zamalek have a point each.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sherif Ekrami, Ahmed Adel, Mahmoud Abou El-Souod
Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Mohamed Nagib, Saad Samir, Sherif Abdel-Fadil, Sayed Mowad, Ahmed Shedid
Midfielders: Shehab Eldin, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Ahmed Nabil ‘Manga’, Ahmed Shokry, Rami Rabea, Walid Soliman, Abdullah El-Said
Strikers: Mohamed Abou-Treika, El-Sayed Hamdy, Dominik Da Silva, Amr Gamal
