The Red Devils' squad witnessed the absence of attacking midfielder Ahmed El-Sheikh and winger Ramadan Sobhi.

The in-form Ramadan Sobhi, who plays for Ahly on loan from English side Huddersfield Town, picked up a hamstring strain during training last month.

The 22-year-old Sobhi, who came from Ahly's youth ranks, is a key player in coach Rene Weiler's lineup, bringing much-needed strength and creativity to the frontline.

Meanwhile, Ahly's new signings, talented winger Mahmoud Kahraba and Senegalese striker Aliou Badji, boost the Cairo giants' squad ahead of the crucial showdown against Al-Hilal.

Kahraba opened his Ahly account with a brace as they romped to a 5-0 victory over Tanta to cement the lead in the Egyptian Premier League two weeks ago.

Badji made his first appearance wearing the Reds' jersey in the late minutes of the 1-0 win over Tunisia's Etoile du Sahel in the 5th round of Group B games last weekend.

Ahly are at the top of a tight Group B with 10 points, one ahead of Etoile and Sudanese giants Al-Hilal, with one match remaining in the group phase.

The Cairo giants only need to draw at Al-Hilal's Omdurman fortress in their final match to qualify for the quarter-finals. A win will see them advance as the group leaders regardless of the outcome of the other match between Etoile and Zimbabwe's Platinum.

Ahly's 21-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Sherif Ekrami, Mohamed El-Shennawi, Ali Lotfi

Defenders: Ahmed Fathi, Rami Rabia, Ayman Ashraf, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hani, Mahmoud Metwaly

Midfielders: Hossam Ashour, Amr El-Sulaya, Hussein El-Shahat, Mahmoud Kahraba, Walid Soliman, Mohamed Magdi, Aliou Dieng, Geraldo da Costa

Strikers: Junior Ajayi, Marwan Mohsen andAliou Badji

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