Ahli's Portuguese coach Manuel Jose seemingly decided to rest several key players after the team were crowned Egyptian champions for the fourth successive season.

Skipper Shadi Mohamed, who committed fatal errors in Ahli's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Platinum Stars, has been left out despite the team's defensive crisis.

Sweeper Emad Al-Nahhas has recently sustained a serious knee injury that will rule him out of action for several months.

Right-back Islam Al-Shater, midfield duo Anis Boujelbene and Hossam Ashour, defender Rami Adel and Angolan striker Flavio Amado have been all excluded.

Flavio's compatriot Gilberto, who plays on the left wing, also did not make the squad.

Influential duo Mohamed Barakat and Mohamed Abou-Treika as well as defender Ahmed Al-Sayed were among the very few regulars who retained their place in Ahli squad.

Out-of-favor striker Ahmed Belal, who missed Ahli's latest league game against Baladeya for technical reasons, returned to the squad. So did right-back Ahmed Adel.

First-choice keeper Amir Abdul-Hamid is out after failing to recover from injury in time. Youngster Ahmed Abdul-Monem will stand between the sticks instead of him.

Ahli squad:

Goalkeepers: Ahmed Abdul-Monem, Mohamed Al-Shenawi

Defenders: Ahmed Al-Sayed, Mohamed Samir, Ahmed Sedik, Ahmed Attwa, Mohamed Mahmoud, Ahmed Adel, Ahmed Shedid

Midfielders: Mohamed Barakat, Mohamed Abou-Treika, Moataz Eno, Mahmoud Samir, Moeaz Al-Hennawi, Hesham Mohamed

Strikers: Ahmed Belal, Emad Meteb, Reda Al-Weeshi