🦅 Al Ahly’s head coach Jes Thorup has settled on his starting lineup for the CAF Champions League Round of 32 first-leg clash against Aigle Noir of Burundi, opting to start Ahmed Nabil Koka at left-back instead of Mohamed Shoukry.

Sports journalist Ahmed Hassan revealed via Facebook that although Shoukry is fully fit, Thorup prefers Koka for his defensive solidity, especially given Aigle Noir’s attacking pace on the flanks.

The team will hold its final training session this afternoon at Bujumbura International Stadium, which will also host tomorrow’s match. The session will be light and tactical, as per CAF competition regulations.

Al Ahly’s 24-man squad traveling to Burundi includes:

Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mohamed Siha, Mostafa Shobeir, Yassin Marei, Omar Kamal Abdelwahid, Ahmed Ramadan Beckham, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Yasser Ibrahim, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Nitz Gradisar, Mohamed Sherif, Ahmed Abdelkader, Mohamed Shoukry, Marwan Attia, Achraf Bencharki, Mohamed Magdy Afsha, Mostafa El-Ash, Aliou Dieng, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Taher Mohamed Taher, Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Abdeen, Ahmed Nabil Koka, and Mohamed Abdallah.

⚽ Al Ahly aims for a strong away result to pave the way for qualification in the return leg in Cairo, as the team looks to reclaim the prestigious African title.