Zamalek left-back Ali Fathi has finally recuperated from a niggling knee injury to be ready for the CAF Champions League final first leg at South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns on 15 October. Fathi, who took full part in Wednesday's training session, has left a big void in his Zamalek's African squad after sustaining the injury in August – being the only left-back registered in the roster. As a result, the Whites were forced to play Nigeria's Enyimba in their last Champions League group-stage game without the 24-year-old – who continued to miss out on both legs of the semi-final against Morocco's Wydad Casablanca. Manager Moemen Soliman had to field natural right-back Ramzi Khaled in the left-back slot, a role in which he looked far from comfortable in the 4-0 home win over Wydad. Center-back Islam Gamal did not also look particularly convincing as a left-back in the 5-2 return-leg defeat at the Moroccans – in a game where Zamalek's defence and midfield seemed to be struggling. But now with the arrival of Fathi for the Sundowns first-leg clash, Soliman is likely to breathe a sigh of relief - having been forced to settle with a depleted squad in the semi-final against Wydad following the departure and injuries of a host of players. Zamalek have managed to reach the Champions League final for the first time since last winning the title in 2002. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
