Ahli youngster Ahmed Al-Malla was called up for the first team's squad for the first time this season as the African champions take on Petrojet in the Egyptian League on Sunday. The 19-year-old joined Ahli from Kafr Al-Sheikh in the summer but has yet to make his debut in the league. He links up with strikers Emad Meteb, Flavio Amado and Rami Rabie in Ahli's first of four games in hand due to their African Champions League campaign. More Ahli games are set to be postponed for their participation in the World Club Championship in Japan next month.
Al-Shater Ahli were crowned African champions for a record-equaling fifth time last week after beating Sfaxien of Tunisia 2-1 on aggregate. Starting right-back Islam Al-Shater, who played a key role in the victory in Tunis, was reportedly ruled out of the game but the player later confirmed to FilGoal.com that he was included in the squad at the expense of Ahmed Sedik. Recovering defenders Emad Al-Nahhas and Ahmed Sayed were also dropped off the squad although the latter was on the bench in the African clash. Ahli are in seventh place with 17 points from seven games.
