The Egyptian Premier League holders Ahly and the Egypt Cup holder Pyramids FC are locked in a fierce battle for the league summit. After nine rounds in the premier league, Pyramids FC sit in the top spot with 20 points, with Ahly in the chase at 19.
A struggling Ahly secured only three victories in their last seven matches across all competitions. In contrast, Pyramids FC won their last seven games in scintillating form in all competitions.
Swiss coach Marcel Koller, 64, finds himself in a dilemma finding players to compete against Pyramids FC on Sunday as his list of 'injured and not available' keeps growing by the day.
Koller's injured starters include Moroccan defenders Yahya Attiat-Allah and Achraf Dari, Taher Mohamed Taher, Ahmed "Kouka" Nabil, and long-term injured starters Moroccan winger Reda Slim, Karim Fouad, and Tunisian defender Ali Maaloul.
Wessam Abou Ali, the prolific Palestinian forward who topped the scoring charts last season, remains sidelined from Ahly's lineup due to a nagging muscle injury.
The Red Devils' woes have been compounded by the departure of key players during the winter transfer window, including South African winger Percy Tau and striker Mahmoud "Kahraba" Abdel Moneim.
The Swiss tactician has to hope for a clinical performance from veterans such as Emam Ashour, Hussien El Shahat, Marwan Attia, Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdi, and Amr El-Sulaya to beat Pyramids FC.
He called up newly acquired Slovenian striker Nejc Gradisar and defender Mostafa El-Esh to reinforce the squad for the upcoming clash with Pyramids FC.
Koller also enlisted two younger talents Samir Mohamed, 21, and Hamza Abdel-Karim, 17, in the squad for Sunday's game to give him some offence.
On the other side, Pyramids FC's Croatian tactician Krunoslav Jurcic, 55, will capitalize on his percolating stars Ibrahim Adel, Ramadan Sobhi, Mostafa Fathi, Moroccan Walid El Karti, and Congolese striker Fiston Mayele to expand his lead over the Red Devils.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: