Ahly boss Juan Carlos Garrido (Photo: Ahram)
Ahly manager Juan Carlos Garrido believes that Nkana will be no pushovers at their home after the Zambians managed to overcome Tunisia's Etoile du Sahel in the Confederation Cup last-eight.
Champions League holders Ahly visit the Zambian champions, who boosted their hopes of a semi-final berth after edging out Etoile 4-3 at home, in the penultimate round of the Confederation Cup group stage on August 9.
"The Nkana match is going to be a tough one following last round's results in the Confederation Cup," former Real Betis coach Garrido, who only took over at Ahly this summer, told reporters on Thursday.
"Now they will be looking to secure a semi-final place, but I have complete faith in my team's ability to guarantee qualification in Zambia."
Nkana, who were dumped out of the Champions League last-16 at the hands of Zamalek, are currently third of Group B with four points, four adrift of leaders Ahly who will only need a draw in Kitwe to go through.
The other match will also see Ahly group rivals Etoile play Ivory Coast's Sewe Sport, who are bottom of the group on three points from as many draws.
The Reds have already defeated Nkana in the group stage opener, cruising to a 2-0 home victory back in May.
Eight-time African champions Ahly, who were also ousted from the Champions League last-16 by Libya's Ahly Benghazi, are seeking their first-ever Confederation Cup title.
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