Ahli and Harras Hodoud, Egypt's remaining representatives in African competitions, will be looking to win their respective Egyptian Premier League games on Monday to spur their continental bid. With crucial African ties awaiting them, Ahli and Hodoud will be keen to avoid any stumble that could affect their morale. Title holders Ahli, under fire for a string of below-par displays, are bearing in mind that their demanding fans are growing increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as the team's inability to live up to expectations despite a host of big-name signings. The likes of Hossam Ghaly and Geddo flattered to deceive as the Red Devils made an unconvincing start to the defense of their title, gaining eight points from their first four matches. They take on Military Production on Monday in their last match before hosting Tunisia's Esperance in an anticipated clash in the first-leg of the Champions League semi final. "We are suffering from recurring mistakes," Ahli's assistant coach Alaa Maihoub admitted. "We are working hard to solve our problems before the encounter against Esperance." Production, who have 10 points from six games, will be naturally aiming to deprive Ahli of an expected win but they are keen to help their opponents do their African homework without needless interruption. "I talked to the players and warned them against rough play ahead of Ahli's match with Esperance," Production chairman Abdul-Monem Hassan told FilGoal.com.
Al-Ashri eyeing morale-boosting victory "Ahli represent Egypt, so we hope the match ends without any of their players being harmed." Ahli will miss Egypt forward Geddo, who is aiming to recover from a knee injury in time to play against Esperance, unfit striker Mohamed Talaat and injured left-back Sayed Moawad. Attacking midfielder Mohamed Barakat will also be unavailable due to a groin muscle strain. Tough Task Hodoud, who are in an unenviable position in the African Confederation Cup, will face a tougher task than Ahli. They play surprise package Masri, whose free-flowing football helped them move top of the league table on a temporary basis before being overtaken by another in-form side in Police Union. Hodoud have an uphill to climb if they are to reach the semi finals of the Confederation Cup, Africa's secondary club competition. They lie at the bottom of Group B with two points, seven behind FUS Rabat of Morocco and five behind Tunisia's Sfaxien with two matches to go. They visit Sfaxien, their direct rivals for the second group ticket to the semis, next month.
Al-Hadari facing uncertain future "If we play well against Masri, we will travel to Tunisia with a high morale," Hodoud coach Tarek Al-Ashri said. "When I was talking to the players, I stressed that our hopes of reaching the Confederation Cup semis remain alive." The military side, who are linked with a move for Zamalek and Egypt goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari, could miss first-choice goalie Ali Farag after he picked up a thigh injury. Ailing giants Zamalek face Arab Contractors in their first game under a new board of directors, which took charge of the club on a temporary basis after the former board was dissolved by a court ruling. They play amid uncertainty over the future of Al-Hadari, who reportedly handed in a transfer request in protest at the rotation policy coach Hossam Hassan adopts in the goalkeeper position. Zamalek skipper and long-serving guardian Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed is likely to start against Contractors. Ismaili will be looking to bounce back from their defeat at Contractors when they tackle promoted MCDR. The Dervishes, who won three times and lost once in their first four league games, can move top if they win their two matches in hand.
