Ahly host Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel in the fifth round of Group B games of the African Champions League on Sunday at El-Salam Stadium.
The Cairo giants, who are bidding to qualify for the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League, are expected to face a tough test against Etoile du Sahel after losing the away game to the Tunisian side 1-0 at Stade Olympique de Radès last November.
Group B of the Champions League are tight as Etoile du Sahel are in the driving seat with nine points, sharing the same number of points with Sudanese Al-Hilal and two points over Ahly who are in third place.
Sudanese Al-Hilal defeated FC Platinum of Zimbabwe 1-0 early on Saturday to raise pressure on Ahly ahead of Etoile du Sahel clash.
"We have no choice but to win over Etoile du Sahel," Ahly football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz told reporters on Saturday.
"The games against the North African teams are always difficult so we have to give it our all against Etoile du Sahel," he added.
"We are familiar with Tunisian football, and we know well the Etoile du Sahel team."
Ahly will continue losing the services of efficient winger Ramadan Sobhi and defender Saad Samir due to injuries.
Attacking midfielder Hussein El-Shahat and winger Mahmoud Kahraba will boost the Reds squad after their valuable participation in the 5-0 win over Tanta and the 2-0 win over the Arab Contractors in the Egyptian Premier League last week.
Ahly have included newly signed Senegalese striker Aliou Badji for the game against Etoile du Sahel.
Despite their current poor performance in the Tunisian League, Etoile du Sahel will fight against Ahly to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
Etoile du Sahel achieved three victories in the Champions League group stage after playing four games.
