CAIRO: Ahly completed the roster for the CAF Champions League campaign by naming the final four players to their squad, the club said on Monday.
Coach Manuel Jose has chosen to include Egypt captain Ahmed Hassan, Palestine goalkeeper Ramzi Saleh, and Egypt internationals Wael Gomaa and Sayed Moawad to the African squad.
The announcement puts an end to the ongoing debate of who will be added to the continental roster, given the myriad of players on Ahly s books.
Jose s choices were more or less forced as Saleh has to be included as a third goalkeeper after first-choice guardian Essam Al-Hadari moved to Switzerland.
The lack of fit defenders cemented Gomaa s choice while Angolan international Gilberto has no back-up as a left winger, opening the door for Moawad.Hassan seems the most viable option as he can play in more than one midfield position and also as a supporting striker.
There was no place for new signings Hussein Yasser of Qatar, Ahmed Ali, Hani Al-Egaizi, Ahmed Hassan Farag, Abdel Hamid Ahmed and Hussein Ali or returning midfielder Hassan Mostafa.
Jose could find himself in a tight spot if striker Emad Meteb completes the move to Bristol City this month as he will be left with only three fit forwards in Flavio Amado, Ahmed Belal and Osama Hosni.
Ahly open their Group B campaign against local rivals Zamalek on July 20.