KAMPALA, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Eight-time African Champions Al Ahly of Egypt have arrived in Uganda ahead of a crucial Group A match in the 2018 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League against KCCA FC on May 15.
"It is going to be a very tough game because we know KCCA FC is a good team. But we are here to try and get points to advance in the tournament," Al Ahly manager Hossam El-Badry told Xinhua on Saturday soon after arrival.
Al Ahly who have already won the Egyptian Premier League last week drew goalless against Esperance (Tunisia) in the other Group A match played, while Uganda's KCCA FC lost 1-0 away to Township Rollers FC of Botswana.
While KCCA FC's will welcome first choice goalkeeper Charles Lukwago who was serving a one-match suspension because of accumulated yellow cards, Al Ahly will miss Ayman Ashraf due to suspension.
The Al Ahly coach will also welcome the duo of Saad Samir and Ahmed Hamoudi who had been injured. El-Badry did not include Ali Maaloul, Ali Lotfi, Hesham Mohamed, and Karim Nedved on the squad.
But KCCA FC coach Mike Mutebi has warned that his players have to treat the game against Al Ahly like a Cup final because they need to try to recover and pick maximum points playing at home.
"We need to raise to the occasion and try to win the game. We know Al Ahly is a big team, but we are also champions of Uganda and flying the flag high," he added.
KCCA FC who eliminated Ethiopia's St. George to qualify for the group stage of the competition are the only team in the Council for East and Central African Football Associations region playing in the group stage.
Al Ahly squad includes goalkeepers: Sherif Ekramy, Mohamed El-Shennawy;
Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Mohamed Naguib, Ahmed Fathi, Sabry Rahil, Bassem Ali, Saad Samir;
Midfielders: Hossam Ashour, Ahmed Hamoudi, Amr El-Sulaya, Walid Soliman, Islam Mohareb, Mahlambi, Mido Gaber, Ahmed Hamdi;
Forwards: Salah Mohsen and Marwan Mohsen.