Egypt's Ahly will hold their first training session in a closed club in Alexandria on Saturday, as part of preparations for the much-anticipated African Champions League clash against Botswana's Township Rollers that is set for Tuesday in Alexandria. "French coach Carteron preferred to start the camp early to prepare the players well for the African meeting," read a statement on the club's official website on Saturday. The eight-time CAF Champions League title holders Ahly are in a tough spot in the league this season following a poor start to their group-stage campaign. The Cairo Giants were held to a goalless draw at home by Tunisian giants Esperance before slumping to a 2-0 loss to Uganda's Kampala City, slipping to the bottom of Group A with a solitary point from their opening two matches. Esperance lead the group with six points, followed by Kampala and Township Rollers with three each. Ahly will finalise their preparations for the game against the Township Rollers by playing a friendly on Thursday against Nogoom El-Mostakbal, newly promoted team to the Egyptian Premier League. (For more sports news and updates and a special World Cup 2018 coverage, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)