Egypt's Al-Ahly encounter Ittihad of Libya on Friday in the Libyan capital of Tripoli at the 80,000-seater June 11 Stadium at 8:30 (CLT) in the African Champions League (ACL) last 16. The Red Devils are determined to show Ittihad's coach Miodrag Jesic of Serbia that they are the best team in Africa. Jesic says that they're not afraid of Ahly, despite their strength and excellent track record in Africa. Ahly's coach Hossam el-Badri, meanwhile, says he will not let 'the mind games' of Jesic distract his side ahead of tonight's game. “Maybe he's trying to dent our morale with such words. However, we are used to that. Those mind games do not affect us; the players are very confident and they're not worried," el-Badri adds. Ahly, who won the last of their six Champions League titles in 2008, are looking to avoid last season's scenario when they lost to Nigeria's Kano Pillars in the same round to miss out on a place in the group stage. The Red Devils will be without their top scorer, Egypt's striker Emad Met'eb, who is nursing a back complaint. Versatile midfielder Ahmed Fathi, right-back Ahmed Ali and central defender Mohamed Samir will also be missing due to injury. Veteran Ahly's players Mohamed Abou Treika, Wael Gomaa, Ahmed Hassan and Mohamed Barakat will be there to inspire their team. El-Badri says that he can deal with any problem. "Our substitutes can fill the gaps we have," he stresses. Al-Ahly's coach has instructed players to go on the offensive as soon as the match kicks off, as Ittihad will be doing the same. “The players must concentrate hard, as Ittihad are a good team who have notably improved recently, but we are determined to win and reach the last-eight phase," he adds. Al-Ahly's squad includes Ahmed Adel, Sherif Ekrami, Mohamed Mokhtar, Wael Gomaa, Sherif Abdel-Fadil, Ahmed el-Sayyed, Sayyed Moawad, Mohmed Barakat, Mohamed Abou Treika, Ahmed Hassan, Hossam Ashour, Mohamed Fadl, Shehab Ahmed, Ahmed Shoukri, Osama Hosni, Hani el-Egeizi, Talaat and Abdullah Farouq.
