Ahly stars will play for Egypt in its friendly against Sierra Leone on 28 September, amid preparations for the African World Cup qualifier playoff against Ghana.

"Ahly players will participate in the game," Pharaohs assistant coach Diaa El-Sayed confirmed to Ahram Sport on Tuesday.

Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef is meeting national manager Bob Bradley on Tuesday to discuss cooperation ahead of several decisive showdowns.

"There are no complications between Egypt and Ahly coaches," Youssef said. "We hold a mutual understanding regarding each other's needs."

The Cairo giants are playing Cameroon's Coton Sport on 6 and 20 October in the CAF Champions League semifinal.

"After the Sierra Leone friendly, Ahly players will return to their club for their semifinal first leg and report back for national duty afterwards," Youssef said.

Egypt play in Ghana on 13 October, with the return leg on 19 November.

Ahly's 11 players in the Egypt squad are goalkeeper Shefir Ekrami, defenders Wael Gomaa, Mohamed Nagib, Rami Rabia, Ahmed Fathi, Ahmed Shedid and Sayed Moawad, midfielders Hossam Ashour, Abdullah El-Said, Mohamed Abou-Treika, and Walid Soliman.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) is planning to launch a campaign to support the team reach its first World Cup since 1990.

"The association will launch the campaign in early October and reveal its details at a press conference," EFA board member Mahmoud El-Shami told Reuters.

"We will be calling businessmen to search for ways to motivate players and support transporting fans to Kumasi [4,300km from Cairo], providing special flights for the event."

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