Players of Egypt's Al Ahly are seen before their African Confederations Cup final soccer match against Ivory Coast's Sewe Sport at Cairo stadium (Photo: Reuters)
An injury-hit Ahly side will be hoping to build on their dramatic CAF Confederation Cup triumph when they resume their Egyptian league campaign at last season's runners-up Smouha on Thursday.
Ahly celebrated the addition of a 20th African accolade to their trophy-laden cabinet after sealing a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast's Sewe Sport earlier this week.
Having been at risk of losing the secondary African competition after slumping to a 2-1 final first-leg defeat at the Ivorians, Ahly had striker Emad Meteb to thank for the priceless winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
But it seems like the Cairo giants had to pay dearly for the precious win, with a host of integral squad members left suffering injuries picked up during the Sewe clash.
And now the 37-time-Egyptian champions will have to do without eight key players when they visit Egypt Cup finalists Smouha, who have suffered a dip in form after offloading some of their key players in the summer, at Alexandria Stadium.
Already without Egypt keeper Sherif Ekramy, understudy goalie Ahmed Adel is now facing a two-month layoff after playing through a thigh injury in the final minutes against Sewe.
This means fringe keeper Mosaad Awad will be given the nod between the sticks, as youth shot-stopper Abdel-Kafy Ragab should start the bench.
Even more drastic is the loss of Egypt international duo Mohamed Naguib and Saad Samir due to injury – meaning that Ahly will be forced to completely reshuffle the heart of the defense.
Summer-signing Sherif Hazem and youngster Loay Wael would most probably occupy the center-half role against Smouha, as Hussein El-Sayed could well deputize for the injured Sabry Rabhil at left-back.
But it wasn't only the backline and goalkeeping positions where injuries had hit Ahly, as their midfield was also blighted by casualties.
Egypt midfielder Hossam Ghaly, who played full 180 minutes in the two-legged final against Sewe, has been ruled out with injury while in-form attacking midfielder Walid Soliman is suspended.
Young winger Karim Bambo is also out and striker Amr Gamal is still nursing a cruciate ligament injury.
Ahly are currently 12th of the 20-team league table, level on 14 points with Smouha, but the Alexandrians played four games more. The title holders will move joint top if they win their games in hand.
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