The Africa Confederation Cup champions Ahly have flown to Algeria on Thursday morning with a crew of 37 persons to face the CAF Champions League winners ES Setif in the Africa Super Cup on Saturday.
Ahly Spanish coach Juan Garrido has officially named a 20-player squad for the game, including newly-joined midfielder Moemen Zakareya and Nigerian forward Peter Ebimobowei.
The Cairo giants have travelled without midfielder Mohamed Rizk due to a shoulder injury, while playmaker Islam Roshdy is finalising his military duties and will also not be able to play. Ethiopian striker Saladin Said has also been left out for tactical reasons.
Ahly has been boosted by the return of goalie Ahmed Adel and left winger Hussein El-Sayed after recovering from injuries.
The record holders, Ahly, are bidding for their seventh African Super Cup but are expected not to celebrate out of respect for their rivals Zamalek, whose fans were victims of the Air Defence Stadium disaster in which at least 20 died on 8 February. Subsequently, domestic football activities have been suspended.
The Red Devils are also the CAF Champions League record holders with eight trophies but lost their last season’s bid to win the Cup and are now eyeing the Super to maintain their African supremacy.
Ahly football director Wael Gomaa revealed that players will play the Super Cup game to win for the team’s continental reputation.
“We don’t deny the match will be difficult especially as it being held in the opponent’s arena but we are determined to win no matter what the circumstances,” Gomaa said.
“We play to win for our continental reputation,” The Ahly football director concluded.
ES Sétif coach Kheïreddine Madoui expects a tough test against Egypt’s Ahly in the African Super Cup match.
“Ahly have a number of good players and will be a strong opponent for us, especially as winning the match equals a new title,” Madoui was quoted as saying by Algerian media.
“The African Super Cup match will a good opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Egypt and Algeria,” the 41-year old coach concluded.
