Ahli take their final home step toward retaining their African title on Sunday night when they host Sfaxien of Tunisia in the first leg of the Champions League final.
The title holders eye tying their arch-rival Zamalek’s record of five titles in Africa s premier club tournament and also aim to be the third team in history to win the title for two successive years after Englebert and Enyimba.
Ahli seek to score as many goals as they can to move closer to the coveted trophy before playing the return leg in the usually hostile Tunisian atmosphere in two weeks.
With three players competing for the tournament s top-scorer title, the team believes they can conquer the Tunisian defense and shatter their hopes of a first Champions League title in Cairo.
African Cup of Nations winners Mohamed Abu Treika and Emad Meteb have scored six and five goals respectively in this campaign followed by Angolan international striker Flavio Amado with four.
The big trio is up for the game before a packed 76-seater venue and they may have more support if international winger Mohamed Barakat earns his first start in five months.
Media reports said that the BBC African player of the year is likely to get the nod ahead of right-back Islam Al-Shater to provide more edge to Ahli s attacking forces.
African Cup of Nations best goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari s starting spot is undisputed as well as Shadi Mohamed, Wael Gomaa and Mohamed Sedik as the back three.
Left-winger Tarek Al-Saied is still doubtful as he suffers knee pains, which may leave him on the sidelines.
Youngster Ahmed Shedid will be the replacement should the former Zamalek captain be declared unfit.
Mohamed Shawki is set to be the full-time holding midfielder to mark Sfaxien’s dangerous man Abdelkrim Nafti.
Either Hossam Ashour or Hassan Mustafa will be partnering Shawki in the heart of the midfield.
