The title holders eye tying the arch-rivals Zamalek's record of five titles in Africa's premier club tournament and also being the third team in history winning the title for two successive years after Englebert and Enyimba.

Ahli seek scoring as many goals as they can to move closer to the coveted trophy before playing the return leg in usually-hostile atmospheres in Tunis after two weeks.

With three players competing for the tournament's top-scorer title, Ahli believe they can conquer the Tunisian defense and shatter their hopes of a first Champions League title in Cairo.

African Cup of Nations winners Mohamed Abou-Treika and Emad Meteb have scored six and five goals respectively in this campaign followed by Angolan international striker Flavio Amado with four.

The big trio is available for the game before a packed 76-seater venue and they may have more support if international winger Mohamed Barakat earned his first start in five months.

Media reports said that the BBC African Player of the Year is likely to get the nod ahead of right-back Islam Al-Shater to provide more edge to Ahli's attacking forces.

African Cup of Nations Best goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari's starting spot in undisputed as well as Shadi Mohamed, Wael Gomaa and Mohamed Sedik as the back three.

Left-winger Tarek Al-Saied is still doubtful as he suffers knee pains and he may be sidelined.

Youngster Ahmed Shedid will be the replacement should the former Zamalek captain be declared unfit.

Mohamed Shawki is set to be the full-time holding midfielder to mark Sfaxien dangerous man Abdelkrim Nafti.

Either Hossam Ashour or Hassan Mustafa will be partnering Shawki in the heart of the midfield.