Egypt's Ahly announces squad for match against Congolese Leopards

Eslam Omar, Tuesday 27 Aug 2013

Ghaly and Abdel-Zaher return to boost Ahly against Leopards in CAF Champions League on Saturday; fans attendance still possible

Ahly

Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef has announced his 22-man squad for Saturday's match against Congolese Leopards in the fourth round of the CAF Champions League.

Recent highlights for the squad include the return of Hossam Ghaly and Ahmed Abdel-Zaher from suspension, while Mauritania striker Dominic Da Silva is out on demand, as he is due to leave the team this summer.

The Egyptian giants will be hosting the Leopards away from the Capital at Gouna stadium in Hurghada due to security concerns as a result of the current political situation.

Fans may be allowed to attend the game, and there are ongoing talks between the club and security authorities regarding this matter.

Even though the Interior Ministry has not yet given the green light for fans to attend, Ahly's die-hard supporters, Ultras Ahlawy 007, are already gathering on Tuesday to book their tickets to Gouna to watch the match.

Like the Leopards, Ahly has four points out of a possible nine, after the Egyptians drew with rivals Zamalek, with one goal each, and were defeated by South Africa's Orlando Pirates, who currently lead the group with seven points.

Gouna is a Red Sea resort 430km away from the capital and its stadium does not have a lighting system.

The match was supposed to be held behind closed doors, as has been the case with most football matches in Egypt since the Port Said Stadium disaster in February 2012, when more than 70 fans died in an attack by rivals.

Zamalek are waiting to see how the situation regarding the fans is resolved in their rivals match, as they are due to host South Africa's Orlando Pirates on Sunday.

The 22-man squad for Saturday's match is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Sherif Ekrami, Ahmed Adel Abdel-Menem and Mamhoud Abou El-Soud

Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Mohamed Nagib, Saad Samir, Ahmed Shedid, Sayed Mowad, Ahmed Fathi, Sherif Abdel-Fadil and Ahmed Nabil 'Manga'

Midfielders: Hossam Ashour, Shehab Ahmed, Rami Rabia, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Abullah El-Said, Walid Soliman and Ahmed Shokry

Strikers: Amr Gamal, El-Sayed Hamdy, Ahmed Abdel-Zaherand and Mohamed Abou Treika

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)

Short link: