Ahli's newly-appointed coach Hossam Al-Badri is hoping to pass his first real test as he faces Tarek Al-Ashri's Harras Hodoud in the Super Cup match. The game, the curtain raiser of the new season, will be the first-ever Egyptian Super Cup to be guided by two Egyptian coaches, after Ahli entered the past seasons' clashes led by Portuguese tactician Manuel Jose. After living for years in the shadow of the great Portuguese, Al-Badri was finally given the chance to shine when he was installed as his mentor's successor in June. The former Red Devils defender supervised the team's training camp in Germany, where Ahli won two friendlies and lost as many times. Ahli wrapped up their preparations for Tuesday's encounter by beating Arab Contractors 3-2 on Thursday. Al-Badri will be starting the game with a 4-4-2 formation, which has always been hard for Egyptian players to digest.
Al-Ashri The young coach was preceded by Al-Ashri, who has so far succeeded in teaching Hodoud players the same formation. Al-Ashri's efforts paid off when he led Hodoud to winning their first-ever trophy, which came in the shape of last season's Egyptian Cup. "We are targeting the Super Cup to be our second trophy, and that's what we've been working for over the off-season camp," Al-Ashri told FilGoal.com. "My players are really fired up for the game and the possible return of striker Ahmed Salama, who might start alongside Ahmed Abdul-Ghani." Unlike Hodoud, Ahli will be missing injured midfielder Ahmed Hassan, as well as defender Wael Gomaa who's suspended for the clash.
