Ahly will be looking for a win at Group D leaders Zanaco to boost their CAF Champions League group-stage qualification chances when both sides meet in Lusaka on Saturday.

Following Ahly’s 2-0 defeat at Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in the previous group game, the eight-time African champions will be hopeful of an away victory that would take them top of the table.

Hossam El-Badry’s men are currently second on seven points, three behind the Zambians Zanaco, whereas rivals Wydad – who visit bottom side Cotonsport later in the day – are third on six.

With the Moroccans expected to beat a side that have yet to amass a single point in their group-stage campaign, Ahly will be looking to make their mission easier in Zambia ahead of their final group game – a home fixture with Cotonsport.

Zanaco, on the other side, are not less keen to secure a win against their decorated rivals, with a victory guaranteeing them qualification for the quarter finals as group winners.

“The Ahly game is so important for us, it is the key for qualifying for the next round,” Zanaco boss Mumamba Numba was quoted as saying by Egyptian sports website FilGoal.com.

“We need to be in our very best to beat a team like Ahly. We are ready to claim a positive result.

“We will play with full concentration against Ahly to win and qualify for the quarter finals.”

Zanaco, who frustrated Ahly to a goalless draw at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium in the group-stage opener, are the only unbeaten side in the group.

The Bankers are also the strongest defense, having conceded only a single goal. They scored a total of four goals.

They will be missing skipper Ziyo Tembo due to automatic suspension, as Ghanaian midfielder Kwame Attram was snubbed by manager Numba due to technical reasons.

Egyptian league champions Ahly, meanwhile, travel to the game with no major injury concerns, with attacking playmaker Mido Gaber only left out due to injury.

Veteran striker Emad Meteb has also been ruled out, with manager El-Badry looking to rely on either Junior Ajayi or Amr Gamal in the lone striker role.

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