Ahly face stiff test against Wydad in Morocco

Ahly have no option but to beat Wydad Casablanca in Morocco to avoid possible Champions League elimination, according to coach Manuel Jose

Ahly are braced for a stiff test in Morocco as they take on Wydad Casablanca in a crucial CAF Champions League clash on Sunday.
The Red Devils will be looking to avoid a repeat of Cairo's fixture in July when they surrendered their lead twice to allow Wydad to hold them to a thrilling 3-3 draw in the opening Group G match.
With two matches remaining before the end of the group stage, there will be no room for error as six-time African champions Ahly aim to book a last-four berth for the sixth time in seven years.
Ahly lie third in the group with five points, one behind leading duo Wydad and Esperance of Tunisia. The Red Devils will face Wydad on Sunday before hosting Esperance in their last match on September 16.
“A draw is not an option otherwise we will have to defeat Tunisian side Esperance 2-0 so we must play to win,” Ahly coach Manuel Jose, who led the team to four out of their six Champions League triumphs, said on the club's official website.
“I studied the Moroccan team and I have a good technical strategy I will not reveal.”
Wydad coach Michel Decastel warned against the threat Ahly might pose but said he was confident his side would overcome the Cairo giants.
“It will be a difficult game because Ahly will be playing to win. If they are defeated they it will be hard for them to qualify for the last four. I am wary of a team that knows how to travel and play well,” the Swiss coach said in an interview with CAFonline.com.
“In front of an opponent of such caliber it is the determination and concentration of every player that makes the difference. The mental aspect is very important. I am very sure that we will be very concentrated on the day. We will have what it takes to beat Ahly.
“Within our team there will two absentees, Ahmed Ajedou and Fabrice Ondama. It's never easy to replace regulars but we have to do without them.”
Ahly will also miss two influential players in holding midfielder Hossam Ghaly and attacking midfielder Mohamed Barakat.
Ghaly misses out due to automatic suspension, having accumulated two yellow cards, the second of which came in Ahly's 2-0 home victory over Mouloudia Alger, who lie at the bottom with two points.
Veteran midfielder Barakat has not recovered yet after fracturing his arm in July. Brazilian striker Fabio Junior, who joined Ahly in the close season, will not be available due to an ankle injury.