Al Ahly have reportedly suffered two massive blows ahead of their African Football League opener on Friday evening.
The Egyptians will get their inaugural AFL campaign underway when they take on Simba SC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania at 17:00 SA time.
Read: African giants 'reject' CAF offer ahead of AFL opener
The opening fixtures have already drawn a bit of drama, with coaches such as Al Ahly's Marcel Koller and Mamelodi Sundowns boss Rulani Mokwena having voiced their frustrations with scheduling of matches just days after the international break, with the former going as far to say that his players will "suffer" as a result.
However, the Red Devils now face a slightly bigger problem as they will be without two important players for their tournament curtain-raiser.
According to Sports Blaze, the reigning African champions will be without new blockbuster signing Anthony Modeste as well as talisman Ali Maaloul.
The French striker joined the club in August on a reported two-year deal. He was a free agent at the time coming off on the back season-long stint at Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
Modeste is said to have tested positive for COVID-19 and has thus not travelled with the team, while Maaloul will only be available for the second leg in Cairo after missing his flight following his return from international duty with Tunisia.
Speaking ahead of the game, however, Koller said he was delighted with the start of the new competition.
"We are pleased to be here, and we anticipate a difficult match as every team possesses double motivation when facing Ahly," he stated during a pre-game press conference, per Ahram Online.
"This tournament has the potential to advance African football by encouraging European players to join African clubs."
Meanwhile, Simba boss Roberto Oliveira is confident that his team can beat Al Ahly.
"We hold Ahly in high regard as they are a formidable team with a rich history in the African Champions League. However, Simba is also a strong team, and we are fully prepared to secure a victory tomorrow," he said on Thursday evening.
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