Egyptian Football Association (EFA) boss Ahmed Megahed revealed that they will ask the Confederation of African Football to move the final game of the Champions League back to an earlier date if Ahly makes the cut to allow players to take part in the Olympic Games. "The Olympic football team's problem is 17 July. It will be the same date of the African Champions League final if Ahly reached it," Megahed told a television programme. Egypt's U23 national team are scheduled to fly to Tokyo on 17 July to take part in the Olympic Games, on the same day Ahly could be playing a CAF final. "If Ahly reached the Champions League final, we will ask the Confederation of the African Football to reschedule the date of the final game to be played sooner than its previous date," Megahed said. The Olympic team's coach, Shawky Gharib, built up his squad on a number of Ahly players, including veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi, wingers Salah Mohsen, Taher Mohamed Taher, Nasser Maher, Akram Tawfik, and other key-players from the Red Devils' squad. "We are already in talks with CAF officials and Morocco's FA, who will host the Champions League final, but we are waiting for the result of the game between Ahly and Esperance of Tunisia to determine the qualified team," Ahly snatched a 1-0 lead over Esperance in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semifinals. Megahed also revealed that they are in contact with Egypt Air to provide a private jet to transport Ahly players directly from Morocco to take part in the Tokyo Olympic Games. The Pharaohs were drawn in a tough group at the Olympic Games, facing off against heavyweights Spain, Argentina, and Australia. The 2012 quarterfinalists will open their campaign against Spain on 22 July before facing Argentina three days later and Australia on 28 July. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
