CAIRO: Ahly coach Hossam Al-Badri highlighted that his side pulled off Sunday’s 2-1 home victory over Heartland in the CAF Champions League without a number of key figures.
The Red Devils secured qualification for the competition’s semi finals upon beating the Nigerian side.
"We miss a number of regular players either through suspension or injury, including Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Barakat and Hossam Ghaly," Al-Badri told Nile Sports.
"No one is talking about these influential absentees and just wants us to keep on winning, but that’s the case with all big teams."
Substitutes
Now Al-Badri is planning to play Ahly’s last Champions League group stage match against Ismaili with a number of fringe players.
"I’m considering playing a number of substitutes to give the regulars a break," he added.
"I don’t think about the semi-final matches now."
Six-time African Champions Ahly, who are bound to end the group stage in second place, will face Group A leaders in the next round.
Esperance are now on top of the group, two points ahead of TP Mazembe. Each team have two games to go.
