Al Ahly SC are preparing for a crucial final-round encounter against Al Masry SC with the club’s coaching staff expected to introduce only minor adjustments to the starting lineup.
The match, scheduled to take place at the Egyptian Army Stadium in Borg El Arab, comes at a decisive moment in the Egyptian Premier League title race, with Al Ahly still hoping to retain the championship.
The Cairo side must defeat Al Masry and rely on favourable results elsewhere in order to secure the title. Al Ahly require rivals Zamalek SC to lose against Ceramica Cleopatra FC, while Pyramids FC must fail to beat Smouha SC in simultaneous fixtures.
With the league season reaching its climax, Al Ahly entered a closed training camp early in preparation for the decisive encounter.
The team completed its main training session at Mokhtar El-Tetsh Stadium before travelling to Alexandria with a squad that included experienced goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy alongside Mostafa Shobeir and Mohamed Siha.
Defensive options in the travelling squad included Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Ramadan Beckham, Mohamed Shokry and Moroccan defender Youssef Belamri.
Midfield and attacking selections featured several established names, including Emam Ashour, Aliou Dieng, Tunisian midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki and Hussein El Shahat.
The squad also included Ahmed Mostafa Zizo and striker Mohamed Sherif as Al Ahly prepare for what could become one of the most dramatic conclusions to a domestic campaign in recent years.
Several players were left out of the squad for different reasons. Ahmed Nabil Koka was unavailable because of suspension due to accumulated bookings, while Amr Al-Jazzar was granted permission to complete his wedding celebrations.
Others, including Wilson Kamwish, Karim Fouad and Ahmed Eid, were omitted for technical reasons.
The coaching staff are now considering limited tactical adjustments ahead of the match.
One of the expected changes could see Youssef Belamri return to the left-back position after recovering from the injury that kept him sidelined in recent weeks.
Mohamed Hany is also likely to reclaim his place at right-back, while Yasser Ibrahim is expected to return to central defence after overcoming injury problems.
The only remaining uncertainty reportedly concerns the goalkeeping position. Although the technical staff have not yet made a final decision, there appears to be growing support within the club for Mohamed El Shenawy to start the match.
With the title race still mathematically alive, Al Ahly approach the final fixture knowing victory alone may not be enough, but also aware that any slip could end their hopes of retaining the Egyptian league crown.
