Days before their pivotal return leg matchup against Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League semi-final, Al Ahly has suffered a serious setback. After the first leg ended in a goalless draw in Pretoria, the match between Africa's top two clubs will now take place at Cairo International Stadium.
Despite the significant setback they experienced prior to the game, the Red Devils are now under pressure to perform well because they have home advantage and high expectations. Prior to their crucial matchup with Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League semi-final at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday, April 25, 2025, Al Ahly has suffered a significant setback.
After the first leg ended in a goalless draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium over the weekend in Pretoria, South Africa, the Red Devils will host the Premier Soccer League's biggest teams in the rematch. The Egyptian powerhouses are aiming to win the championship again this year, but they must defeat Miguel Cardoso's team to advance to the championship game.
Four Al Ahly players will not play in the return leg of the CAF Champions League
Al Ahly will be missing four important players before the return leg against the Brazilians in Cairo, according to the Egyptian newspaper Kooora. Wissam Abu Ali missed the first leg in South Africa due to an injury, and the Red Devils are reportedly worried about his fitness.
The Red Devils' medical staff will evaluate him before the match on Friday. Karim El Debes and Yahya Attiat Allah, both fullbacks for Al Ahly, are reportedly injured and will not play in the match. El Debes would find it challenging to participate in the game, and Attiat Allah will be sidelined for weeks due to a hamstring strain, according to sources.
Reda Selim and Karim Fouad are two more players on the Egyptian powerhouses' injury list. It would be dangerous to put the two back into action against the Pretoria-based team while they are still recovering.
Player updates for Mamelodi Sundowns prior to the match
While Themba Zwane has fully recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action for seven months, he will return to Mamelodi Sundowns. After making an impact as a substitute in the second half of the first leg, the Bafana Bafana star is now anticipated to start the second one.
Lebo Mothiba's availability for the match has not yet been reported. Since joining Masandawana on a free transfer during the January transfer window, the South African international has not yet appeared in the CAF Champions League
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