Ahli host Ivory Coast's ASEC Mimosas on Sunday in a game that could end the back-to-back title holders reign in the African Champions League. Despite the fact that African champions Ahli need one point from the Group B clash to book their place in the semis, the Cairo encounter seems to be more like a knockout game. Given the quality and motives that the Ivorian side possesses, in addition to the below-par performances shown by Ahli in recent weeks, the game will be anything other than a walk in a park for the Egyptians. The defending champions will exit the tournament if they lost the game, while a win or a draw gives them a place in the semis. Snatching the group's summit depends on the result of the other tie between leaders Hilal and Esperance of Tunisia. Both Ahli and Hilal have nine points but the Sudanese side prevail on head-to-head scale. Poor Form Ahli started their Champions League campaign this season as the brightest side of all, having secured maximum points from their first three game, as well as not conceding a single goal. However, the African champions suffered back to back defeats against Esperance and Hilal, without scoring a single goal in the process. Ahli's league form has been also unconvincing so far despite collecting seven points out of nine, the character of the Red Warrior is still not the same as last season. Manuel Jose's side could refresh their charges and erase the recent form if they can reach Africa's best four for the third straight year. Jose's Selection Exhausted Ahli, who have been playing non-stop during the past couple of seasons, started to drop back in form in recent weeks, which limit the options in Jose's possession.
Abou-Treika The departure of key midfielder Mohamed Shawki to Middlesbrough may negatively affect the Ahli midfield, where the Egypt international has been an established figure throughout Ahli recent three years of success. Doubts are surrounding the fitness of star man Mohamed Abou-Treika, who sustained an ankle injury during Ahli 3-0 defeat at Hilal a fortnight ago. Even though the talented playmaker was declared fit by the medical staff, Abou-Treika is unlikely to be rushed in from the start as it is feared that he could aggravate the ankle injury. The instability of the Ahli roster forced Jose to play midfielder Mohamed Barakat in more than three different positions in Ahli's recent game, and the versatile man could fill in Abou-Treika's boots in the starting line-up. Ahli will also miss key defender Ahmed Al-Sayed, who is sidelined for five weeks with a hamstring injury, and it will be up to Jose to choose either Wael Gomaa or Rami Adel to partner Emad Al-Nahhas and Shadi Mohamed in defense. The Red Devils welcome back top scorer Flavio Amado in attack, as the Angolan ace looks ready to join Emad Meteb upfront. Ivorian Revenge Ahli were responsible for the elimination of ASEC in last year's competition after the Egyptians won the semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate and went on to clinch the title. Even though ASEC coach Patrick Liewig insisted prior to the first leg in Abidjan, which Ahli won 1-0, that the Ivoirians have no time for revenge, but this time it seems that Mimosas players don't share the sentiment. "A real feeling of revenge animates us. I believe that this state of mind can help ASEC to be qualified in Cairo," said midfielder Kouame Konan. "The Egyptian team is not invincible, they are not stronger than ASEC. We will work hard to beat them in Egypt and restore balance after our first-leg defeat." Striker Ali Diarra said that it's a live or die game for the Ivorian side, who are currently in second place in the league. "There is no choice, we have to play like wounded lions," said Diarra.
