Record African champions, Al Ahly, jetted out for Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Saturday afternoon from the Cairo International Airport hopeful of a good show when they trade swords with AS Vita in the fourth round of CAF Champions League group stages.
The squad of 24 led by coach Pitso Mosimane flew out at 1700hrs ahead of the clash primed for Tuesday evening.
Mosimane elected to tag along three goalkeepers Mohamed El-Shennawy, Ali Lotfi and Mostafa Shobeir while there was room for Taher Mohamed Taher, Salah Mohsen and Ayman Ashraf.
The Red Devils will be without the services of Tunisian defender Ali Maaloul who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Al Ahly President Mahmoud El Khatib met the players and the coaching staff following the team’s final training session at El Tetsh stadium and told the players he was optimistic of a good outing.
“We must go to DR Congo to show our character and put on a strong performance against AS Vita Club. We should not have been in this difficult situation but we have full confidence in you and your ability to overcome this difficult situation and achieve a positive result to help the team continue the journey in the CAF Champions League competition.” El Khatib told the team.
Al Ahly played to a 2-2 draw by AS Vita in the third round of the CAF Champions League group-stages.
The Red Devils currently sit third with four points, just behind second-placed Vita Club on goal difference and three behind leaders Simba, while El-Merrikh are bottom with just one point.
Travelling squad:
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy, Ali Lotfi, Mostafa Shobeir.
Defenders: Ayman Ashraf, Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Beckham, Yasser Ibrahim, Rami Rabia, Badr Benoun, Saad Samir
Midfielders: Hamdy Fathi, Aliou Dieng, Amr El Soulia, Akram Tawfik, Ahmed Nabil Koka, Nasser Maher, Hussein El Shahat, Mohamed Magdy Afsha, Junior Ajayi
Forwards: Mohamed Sherif, Marwan Mohsen, Taher Mohamed Taher, Walter Bwalya, Salah Mohsen.
