The Red Devils are in a must-win situation to secure the top spot in Group C, currently trailing leaders Orlando Pirates of South Africa by just one point, with four points from two games.
Belouizdad, sitting in third place with three points, are two points ahead of Stade d'Abidjan of Cote d’Ivoire in the group standings.
Ahly have faced a rough patch recently, failing to secure a win in their last three matches, including two Egyptian Premier League fixtures and their semifinal defeat against Pachuca.
Injuries have dealt a blow to Ahly's lineup, with in-form winger Taher Mohamed Taher sidelined for three weeks due to a muscle injury and midfielder Omar Kamal omitted from the squad for the Belouizdad encounter.
Key players like goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, left-back Yahia Attia Allah, and forward Percy Tau, who missed training sessions following the defeat to Pachuca, are expected to feature in the crucial match.
Coach Marcel Koller is urging fans to rally behind the team following their recent disappointment in the Intercontinental Cup, emphasizing the importance of their support in the upcoming game.
“We anticipate a tough challenge against a formidable opponent. Tomorrow's match against Belouizdad is crucial for us, given our recent results,” stated Koller during the pre-match press conference.
Ahly opened their campaign at the Champions league group stage with a 4-2 win over Cote d'Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan before securing a 0-0 draw against Orlando Pirates of South Africa.
Belouizdad's coach, Abdelkader Amrani, expressed readiness for the showdown against Ahly, highlighting the importance of securing a positive result to keep their quarterfinal aspirations alive.
“Our focus is on securing at least a point in Cairo. We must maintain composure, retain possession, and remain confident in our ability to score,” Amrani conveyed in the pre-game press conference.
The Algerian team lost their opening game 2-1 in the group stage against Orlando Pirates before beating Stade d'Abidjan 1-0 in the second round.
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