ZAMALEK (Egypt) vs. AHLI (Egypt) Kickoff: 16.30 CLT CAF Champions League Group A Venue: Gouna Stadium, Hurghada MATCH FACTS -The meeting will be the seventh in the Champions League between Egypt's fiercest rivals, with Ahli unbeaten in all previous games. -In the six Champions League encounters between both clubs, Ahli scored twice (10) the number of goals they conceded (5) against Zamalek. -Set for his debut, Zamalek boss Helmi Toulan inflicted one of Ahli's biggest-ever domestic defeats this year when he led Harras Hodoud to a shock 3-0 victory in the league. -Zamalek's Ahmed Hassan made his debut for Ahli in the corresponding fixture five years ago, scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory for the Reds. -Mohamed Abou-Treika is the active top scorer of Egypt-derby games with 11 goals, only two behind all-time leading marksman Mahmoud Mokhtar ‘Al-Tetsh'. -With 28 African goals to his name, Abou-Treika is nine short of Mahmoud Al-Khatib's record (37) as Ahli's all-time leading goalscorer in continental competitions. -Although he spent one year at the club, Burkina Faso's Abdoulaye Cisse is Zamalek's active top scorer in African competitions with seven goals. -The Whites' all-time leading goalscorer in Africa is former striker Abdul-Halim Ali (23). QUOTES Zamalek coach Helmi Toulan "Derby games are always unpredictable. But I like to start with such big games. If we won that would be a huge boost to my players. I know it's going to be tough but we'll do our best. "Fasting will have a huge impact on players especially at such a high temperature. It will affect the player's energy and stamina of course." Ahli coach Mohamed Youssef "It's a derby, and anything can happen. We aim only at winning, but we look to the match as a single game. We still have other 5 games to qualify and defend our title successfully." TEAM NEWS Zamalek are boosted by the return of star midfielder Shikabala from a loan spell at Al-Wasl, even though the Egypt international has been lacking match practice since last year. The Whites will, however, miss marksman Cisse – who has been absent for several weeks amid speculation that he has unilaterally terminated his contract. Ibrahim Salah is also another former key player missing, having left to join Saudi Arabia's Orouba, albeit without Zamalek's consent. Ahli welcome back Abou-Treika and Ahmed Fathi after finishing their respective loan spells at Bani Yas and Hull City, but Geddo is still out with an injury. Emad Meteb is another striker who is out with a long-term injury, while Walid Soliman pulled out after sustaining an ankle injury in training. Ahli's new signings Sabri Rahil and Ahmed Khairi are still unavailable.
