The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed Ahli forward Amr Fathi 'Samaka' a six-month ban after failing a doping test during an African Champions League encounter, the club said. "CAF informed Ahli with the decision on Sunday night," assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri told reporters. Samaka tested positive after his side's 2-0 victory over JS Kabylie of Algeria in Cairo in the group stage of the tournament that Ahli went on to win its title for the fifth time. It was Samaka's first start in the tournament as his role was often limited to an unused substitute. Ahli are set to appeal the ban after the club's medical services stressed that Samaka never took prohibited medications but it is not likely to be accepted, according to Al-Badri, who also acts as the football director. The Egyptian champions signed the 23-year-old last season after a nail-biting race with arch-rivals Zamalek. Samaka wasn't available immediately for comment.
