Zamalek play the Cairo derby on Sunday eyeing a rare victory over Ahli in the African Champions League to get closer to reaching the semis. Zamalek assistant coach Tarek Yehia told FilGoal.com on Friday that his side almost have no other option than winning the game if they wanted to advance in the competition. But Dynamos triumph over ASEC on Saturday doubled Zamalek chances of qualifying even if they failed to beat Ahli at the Cairo International Stadium. The White Knights can still secure a place in the last four if they saw off Dynamos away in the last game of the group, should Ahli not lose to ASEC in Cairo. Ahli are in charge of Group A with 10 points, four ahead of Dynamos. ASEC are third on five then Zamalek with four. Both Egyptian teams played a game less. And if Zamalek beat their city rivals, a draw in Harare will be enough for them to go through. Ahli have been dominating the Cairo derby for the last four years, leaving Zamalek fans dreaming of a shocking victory on Sunday. The Red Devils won 13 out of the last 15 derbies, with Zamalek only prevailing once. Depleted Zamalek Both sides met twice so far this season, with Ahli edging 2-1 in the first encounter in Africa before grabbing a more convincingly 2-0 triumph in the Egyptian Super Cup. Zamalek's mission is even more difficult on Sunday night as they miss three players, including captain and holding midfielder Ayman Abdul-Aziz. Abdul-Aziz is Zamalek's best summer signing, returning to his old club after almost a decade of playing in Turkey.
Abdul-Aziz (R) missing He misses the game with two cautions, exactly like Tunisian defender Wissem El-Abdi. Rising star Mohamed Ibrahim, who can play defense and midfield roles, is sidelined through injury. German manager Reiner Hollmann will count on in-form Ghanaian international Junior Agogo, who will partner Gamal Hamza upfront. Goalkeeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed is tipped for a starting role, despite not playing since the Super Cup defeat in July. Ready to Prevail On the other hand, Ahli have no injury worries and miss only defender Ahmed Al-Sayed due to suspension. They looked sharp in their last game against Dynamos, registering a 1-0 away win, and denied two other goals that would have stretched the score line. Young defender Mohamed Samir will cover the absence of Al-Sayed. Samir is tipped to play at the center of defense, pushing Shady Mohamed a little to the back as a sweeper. Amir Abdul-Hamid faces no serious competition between the posts. International playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika, electric winger Mohamed Barakat and Angolan striker Flavio also guarantee their places in the starting line up. Egypt captain Ahmed Hassan may be left on the bench, with manager Manuel Jose preferring to deploy Tunisia's Anis Boujelbene and Hossam Ashour as holding midfielders. Angolan wizard Gilberto will play on the left side while strikers Osama Hosni and Ahmed Belal hope to come off the bench in the second period.
