Photo courtesy of Al Ahly FC
Ramadan, marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayer and charity, is a special time in Egypt.
Ahly’s players will hope to mark the occasion with a morale-boosting performance after a run of unconvincing results.
The Cairo giants have drawn four of their last five matches in all competitions, with their only win in that period a 2-0 league victory over bottom side Ismaily.
They were held by NBE Club domestically and drew 1-1 with Young Africans of Tanzania before playing out successive goalless stalemates against Algeria’s JS Kabylie and Morocco’s FAR Rabat.
The draw with FAR Rabat confirmed Ahly’s place in the African Champions League quarter-finals as Group leaders, but frustration lingered after another home stalemate.
“I am very satisfied with the team’s performance against FAR Rabat but I am frustrated with the result,” coach Jess Thorup told reporters.
Ahly struggled to convert their chances against the Moroccan side, who adopted a defensive approach to secure the point they needed.
A similar game plan is expected from Gouna, and Thorup will be keen to see greater cutting edge from his forwards.
The Danish coach is still waiting for Portuguese striker Ieltsin Camões to open his account.
The 27-year-old joined in January on a six-month loan deal to bolster a frontline weakened since the departure of Wessam Abou Ali last summer, but has yet to make a decisive impact, missing two clear chances in four appearances.
Winter signing Marwan Othman, who arrived on loan from Ceramica Cleopatra, has scored once in six outings, most of them as a starter.
“Camões is not yet physically ready and needs time to adapt to his teammates,” Thorup said. “There is strong competition among the forwards, and that is a positive challenge for us.”
Ahly will be without winger Taher Mohamed and full back Mohamed Shoukry, who are suspended.
The absence of Shoukry could hand Moroccan fullback Youssef Belammari his first debut.
Classy wingers Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan and Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed remain sidelined with muscle injuries.
Gouna, 12th in the table, have proved resilient this season, holding African champions Pyramids FC and League’s second-placed Zamalek to 1-1 draws.
Ahly, fourth on 30 points, can ill afford further dropped points as they trail leaders Ceramica Cleopatra by five points, having played a game fewer.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: