Mohamed Fadl's fitness problems could prevent him from playing as a starter for the time being, according to Ahli coach Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafi 'Zizo'. Striker Fadl handed the Red Devils a major boost after recovering from a knee injury he picked up in October's 1-0 loss at Tunisia's Esperance, which eliminated the Cairo side from the CAF Champions League. Ahli could not find a reliable frontman later on as they were held to a 1-1 draw at lowly Gouna before suffering a 3-1 defeat by bitter rivals Ismaili, a rout that sealed the fate of coach Hossam Al-Badri. Amid Ahli's injury crisis and insufficient firepower, Fadl will not be the team's savior any time soon because he's yet to recapture his form, according to Zizo. "He's gradually regaining his match fitness," Ahli's interim manager said to FilGoal.com. "We can't include him in the starting eleven these days. Maybe he will be introduced as a substitute against Smouha." Thursday's league meeting with minnows Smouha will be Ahli's first competitive match under the management of Zizo, who took charge of the team after Al-Badri stepped down. Ahli have Sherif Abdul-Fadil, Sayed Moawad, Hossam Ashour, Shehab Ahmed, Francis Doe and long-term absentee Ahmed Hassan on their injury list.
Zizo Goalkeepers Sherif Ekrami and Ahmed Adel are also out, leaving Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud the only bona fide goalie in the squad. High Spirits Zizo, who's looking to get the six-time African champions back to winning ways, assured that his men are in a good mental condition. "The players are in high spirits and that usually reflects on the performance in a positive way," he stated. "They are determined to pull off a good result against Smouha and claim all three points." Defending champions Ahli are fifth in the league table with 18 points, six adrift of leaders and arch-rivals Zamalek. Ahli, however, have two more games in hand.
