Al Ahly are preparing to begin their CAF Confederation Cup campaign against Uganda's Kitara FC on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in the first leg of the Round of 32, with several changes expected in the starting lineup.

Moroccan head coach Hussein Ammouta is considering a combination of experienced players and those who have impressed in recent matches as he looks to secure a positive result away from home.

The match comes after Al Ahly's 2-0 victory over Zamalek in the recent Cairo derby, a result that has boosted the team's confidence ahead of their African campaign.

El Shenawy Returns

Mohamed El Shenawy is expected to return as Al Ahly's starting goalkeeper against Kitara, with Mostafa Shobeir likely to begin the match on the bench.

Ammouta wants to use El Shenawy's experience in African competitions, especially in an away match where concentration and defensive stability will be important.

The expected changes are not limited to the goalkeeper position.

Hussein El Shahat could also return to the starting lineup in place of Ahmed Sayed Zizo.

The coaching staff hopes El Shahat's movement, speed and attacking ability will help Al Ahly create more chances against the Ugandan side.

Algerian forward Monsef Bekrar is another player expected to receive a starting opportunity after his impressive performance against Zamalek.

Bekrar scored one of Al Ahly's two goals in the derby, strengthening his chances of playing a bigger role in the team's upcoming matches.

Latest News

Flick Leaves Hamza Abdelkarim Out of Betis Clash as Egyptian Striker Gets New Barcelona Atletic OpportunityWho Is Younes Ibrahim, and What Are His Chances of Playing for Egypt?

The coaching staff hopes he can continue his good form against Kitara and make the most of another opportunity in the starting lineup.

In defence, Ammouta is also expected to rely on Achraf Dari and Yassin Marei as his central defensive partnership.

The possible selections show the coach's intention to maintain a good balance between defence and attack while avoiding unnecessary changes that could affect the team's understanding on the pitch.

African Challenge

Al Ahly will enter the match hoping to secure a victory or at least a positive result that gives them an advantage before the return leg in Cairo.

The first-leg encounter is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 PM Cairo time on Saturday as part of the CAF Confederation Cup Round of 32.

Ammouta will look to build on the confidence gained from the victory over Zamalek while remaining careful about the challenges of playing away from home.

The match could also provide an important opportunity for players competing for starting positions, particularly El Shahat and Bekrar.

Both players will be hoping to impress the coaching staff and strengthen their chances of becoming regular starters in the coming weeks.

However, the final starting lineup will only be confirmed before kickoff, as the reported changes remain expectations rather than official selections.

Al Ahly supporters will be hoping for a strong performance and a positive start to the club's African campaign, with Ammouta aiming to carry the momentum from the derby victory into the continental competition.