Preview: Ahly aim to bounce back against Ceramica Cleopatra in Egyptian league
Ahram online , Thursday 7 Jan 2021
Ahly are third in the league table with ten points, while Ceramica Cleopatra lie fifth with seven points


Defending champions Ahly will be looking to return to their winning ways in the Egyptian league when they face newcomers Ceramica Cleopatra on Friday.



The Red Devils were held at a frustrating goalless draw by Wadi Degla last week, dropping first two points this season and falling to third place in the league table with ten points from four games.



Coach Pitso Msimane explained his side's draw against Degla with the absence of many players (10 players) and the lack of cutting edgeness from his side.



The situation will not be the same on Friday's clash as the team has regained the services of Mahmoud 'Kahraba' Abdel-Monem, Mohamed 'Afsha' Magdi and Taher Mohamed who all missed the game against Degla.



The trio appeared in Ahly's 4-0 win over Sonidep in the Champions League round of 32 on Tuesday as the African champions advanced to the Champions League group stages.



Ahly's list for the game saw the first appearance of the team's new-signing Walter Boualia who joined Ahly from Gouna earlier this week.



Mosimane hopes that his Congolese striker will solve Ahly's problems in the frontline as striker Marwan Mohsen failed to impress in many occasions.



Boualia scored three goals with Gouna this season before joining Ahly.



On the other hand, Ceramica Cleopatra will play the game with the aim of gaining positive results against the champions.



The newly-promoted side started the league in style, winning two consecutive games against El-Entag El-Harby and the National Bank of Egypt before losing to Pyramids FC.



They are now fifth in the league table with seven points from four games.



The team includes many experienced players such as former Zamalek forward Mohamed Ibrahim, former Pyramids fullback Ragab Bakar and keeper Amer Mohamed.



Team's coach Hayssam Shabaan stressed that his team doesn't fear Ahly and that there will not be any special preparations for the game as they are only looking to impress during this match.



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