Egypt's champions Al-Ahly and Ismaili face a tough test on Saturday when the Red Devils meet Zimbabwe's Gunners in Harare and the Canal-based club Ismaili host US Stade Tamponnaise of Reunion Island in the first-leg of the African Champions League (ACL). The Egyptian teams hope to win their African campaign. Al-Ahly, who won the title for six times and now topping the local league, are eyeing to add another African title this season. Al-Ahly play a first-round clash against the Gunners at Rufaro Stadium. The Gunners will be without skipper Trymore Mtisi, who suffers from a long-term injury. But they could welcome newboy Asani Nhongo, who will make his debut since joining from Monomotapa. Al-Ahly's primary objective this season is to win the African Champions League, coach Hossam el-Badri said Thursday night. They are aiming to make amends for their disappointing exit last season at the hands of Nigerian side Kano Pillars in the preliminary rounds. "Winning the Champions League is our main objective," el-Badri said according to Ahly's official website. "Our match against Gunners will show how strong we are. We will play well and achieve a good result." "The experienced players should speak to the younger ones about the importance of this competition for Ahly," el-Badri added. Meanwhile, Ismaili have no option, but to try out alternative forwards in Saturday's game. The Dervishes are far from consistent in the Egyptian Premier League, with injuries and suspensions hitting their already-depleted team. "We are short in attack," Ismaili assistant coach Mahmoud Gaber told FilGoal.com. "We have many absentees, but I believe that we will be capable of overcoming this problem, which we faced numerous times before." Attacking midfielders Omar Gamal and Abdullah Saeed, who are responsible for feeding strikers, have been ruled out of the game due to injuries. Ahmed Ali, the team's top scorer in the league with five goals, will also miss because he has been suspended. Mohamed Mohsen Abou Greisha, who has been confined to the bench this season, is likely to be deployed as a lone striker despite failing to impress in the domestic competition. "We don't know much about our opposition but their attacking line seems strong. They scored five goals in their last two games."
