Surprise from Koller in Al Ahly's squad for Simba match

Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller has ruled out nine players at once from the squad to face Simba in the second leg of the 2023 CAF League quarter-finals.

The first leg between the two teams ended in a positive draw with two goals each, so that a goalless draw or winning any result was enough for the red genie to cross into the semi-finals.

Koehler continued to rule out left winger Ahmed Abdelkader, in a decision that seems a bit surprising after expectations were heading to his return in the second leg.

In addition to Abdelkader, Kohler excluded Mahmoud Metwally, Akram Tawfik, Amr Souliya, Karim Nedved, Karim Fouad, Mohamed Zaalouk, Hamza Alaa and Moataz Mohamed.

Al Ahly's squad for the Simba match was as follows:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mustafa Makhlouf and Mustafa Shobert.

Defenders: Ali Maaloul, Karim Al-Debis, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Abdel Moneim, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Hani and Khaled Abdel Fattah.

Midfielders: Imam Ashour, Marwan Attia, Aliou Diang, Ahmed Nabil Koka, Mohamed Magdi Afsha, Hussein Al-Shahat, Reda Selim, Mohamed Al-Dhawi Christo, Percy Tau and Taher Mohamed Taher.

Forwards: Modest, Mahmoud Abdel Moneim "Kahraba" and Salah Mohsen.

The second leg match between Al Ahly and Simba will be held at Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 and will start at 5 pm Egypt and Saudi Arabia time.