TUNIS: Midfielder Amro Samaka from Egyptian club Al-Ahli has been ruled out of the African Champions League final after failing a drugs test.
Al-Ahli tackle surprise qualifiers Club Sportif Sfaxien of Tunisia Saturday at the November 7 Stadium in the Tunis suburb of Rades in the unaccustomed role of underdogs after being held 1-1 at home in the first leg.
The African Football Confederation (CAF) said Thursday that Samaka failed a routine test after a pool match against Jeunesse Sportive Kayblie of Algeria. He faces a one-year ban if a second sample also proves positive.
Adding to the woes of Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, defender Emad Al-Nahas, midfielders Mohamed Barakat and Tarek Said and striker Osama Hosny are ruled out by injuries while midfielder, Mohamed Shawky, is suspended.
Another midfielder, Hossam Ashour, is doubtful after being hurt in a domestic league game last weekend while defender Ahmed Al-Sayed is unlikely to play having just recovered from a four-month injury.
Defending champions Al-Ahli arrived in Tunisia Wednesday and set up base at Hammammat, a resort 75 kilometers from Rades, where an expected sell-out 52,000 crowd will watch the annual showpiece of African club football.
