CAIRO: Zimbabwean champions Gunners have flied to Cairo ahead of the weekend’s Champions League encounter with Ahly.
The minnows, who have a surprise first-leg lead over the six-time champs, were in danger of forfeiting the tie due to lack of funds, but their flight has now been confirmed.
"We have plenty of time to train and acclimatize," Gunners boss Wellington Mpandare was quoted by Zimbabwean media.
"There is one thing that people are overlooking and that is the age of Ahly players.
"They are now old and have been in the Champions League since last year.
"The fact that we beat them is a motivational factor in itself and the players are geared. They know if they play well they get noticed in Africa."
Ahly were handed a shock exit from the Champions League round of 16 last season, losing on the away goal to outsiders Kano Pillars.
