Ahli have benefited from their pre-season training camp in Austria and Germany despite suffering two defeats, according to coach Hossam Al-Badri. The Red Devils concluded their camp with a 1-0 loss to Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam on Thursday. They also slumped to a 2-1 defeat by Romanian side Universitatea Cluj last Monday. "I'm satisfied with the team's form during the training camp, which was very useful," Al-Badri told Ahli's TV channel. "The players were tactically disciplined. They produced fine displays and appeared in a good shape." The Egyptian Premier League holders will face Heartland of Nigeria on July 17 in the Champions League group stage opener for their first competitive game of the season. "The majority of the players who played against Ajax will play against Heartland," Al-Badri added. It remains to be seen whether he would field new signing Geddo, who hit headlines after snubbing Zamalek to join Ahli last month. The Egypt forward, who left Alexandria-based club Ittihad, could not take part in Ahli's training camp. Fellow new arrival Hossam Ghaly, who joined on a free transfer after terminating his contract with Saudi side Nassr, is also uncertain to feature in the Heartland encounter. "The presence of the likes of Geddo and Ghaly, who missed the camp, will boost us in the coming period," Al-Badri said.
