Egyptian champions Ahli open their new season with a tough Champions League Group B fixture at Heartland, amid some discomfort in Nigeria. The home side have hardly facilitated the arrival of their opponents, who claim they had to work out internal transportation on their own. The Nigerians also refused to allow Ahli to train on the match ground, which forced the Reds to rely on the hotel garden. However, manager Hossam Al-Badri is keen to overcome the 'intentional' hurdles and get out of Nigeria with three points in the bag. "The difficulty of the match and the toughness of our opposition should not stop us from reaching our main goal, which is a victory," he said. "We must be aware of their strength especially at home." Heartland boast a remarkable home record as they have never been beaten in Owerri in the African competition. Late appointment
Siasia Heartland have made a surprise change in management only a few days before the Ahli clash, hiring Samson Siasia in place of Kelechi Emeteole; the man who led them to second place last year. "Of course it's late, but they knew what they were doing when they asked the other coach to leave and came to me," said former Nigeria star Siasia. "I know this is a very difficult job I'm taking right now and I know it's going to be very difficult, especially not knowing these players as well as I should. "Ahli is a very strong team, tactically they are very sound, but we'll just have to go out there and do our best. "We are playing at home so that should count for something - we'll have to find a way to win the game and get more confidence as we move along." Team news Al-Badri have a full-strength squad, boosted by top signings Geddo and Hossam Ghaly. The Egypt duo are pushing for starts as Al-Badri has an embarrassment of riches to choose his starting eleven from. Trio Mohamed Barakat, Hossam Ashour and Mohamed Fadl are fit again after missing the friendly defeat to Ajax with minor problems.
