All eyes will be on different-looking champions Ahli when they visit bottom club Smouha on Thursday in the first-ever meeting between the two sides. The match will be the first competitive test for Ahli's new manager Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafi 'Zizo', who succeeded Hossam Al-Badri after the recent defeat at Ismaili. From day one in charge, the interim boss announced that he will rely on Ahli's traditional 3-5-2 formation; mostly used by the great Manuel Jose. However, Zizo is facing a critical situation given the team's ever-increasing injury list, leaving some key figures on the sidelines. The absence of Ahmed Hassan, Hossam Ashour, Shehab Ahmed, Sayed Moawad and most-recently Sherif Abdul-Fadil leaves Zizo with limited options for the five-man midfield. Despite the setbacks, the former Ahli star is focusing on one thing to help his players regain their lost form. "Right now I am focusing on improving the morale of the players, especially the big names," said Zizo after taking charge. "The players are in high spirits and that usually reflects on the performance in a positive way," he said ahead of the Smouha game. "They are determined to pull off a good result against Smouha and claim all three points." With Abdul-Fadil absent, Zizo is likely to give Mohamed Samir the nod in the sweeper role as Wael Gomaa and Ahmed Al-Sayed fill in the heart of defense. Former employees On the other hand, hosts Smouha are buoyed with their first-ever league win at Masri last week, but are still looking for the maiden home victory. "We still haven't done anything yet. The Masri win was good, but we are still bottom of the table," said ex-Ahli man Mohamed Abdullah.
Hassan: One year in White Another former Ahli employee who will be looking to punish his former club is striker Ahmed Belal. "It's very difficult," the 30-year-old said. "I will play against Ahli for the first time. I spent 15 of my career at that club, so it's not easy. "But I'm a professional footballer after all and right now I'm a Smouha player. "I do still love Ahli, I just can't help it." Hungarian referee Istvan Vad will be in charge of the match at Alexandria Stadium. Zamalek host Ittihad In Cairo, pressure is much less on league leaders Zamalek, whose manager Hossam Hassan completed one year in charge two days ago. Hassan's side entertain lowly Ittihad as they look to cement their position at the summit. The Whites boast a significantly-superior record against their opposition during the past decade, having won 16 out of the last 20 matches. But Ittihad boss Mohamed Amer, only in his second game in charge, eyes a quick recovery for the fallen Alexandria giants. "I know that Zamalek are eager to remain leaders, but we are a decent side with our own motives as well," said Amer, who is looking to end his side's four-match losing streak. "We need to improve our position and get out of the danger zone as soon as possible." Ittihad are currently 14th one nine points, only one ahead of rock bottom Smouha.
