Al Ahly are preparing for an important match against Uganda's Kitara on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Cairo International Stadium in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round, with seven players unavailable and several expected changes to the starting lineup.

The Egyptian side enter the match with a 2-1 advantage after winning the first leg in Uganda.

Head coach Hussein Ammouta will look to make the most of home advantage and secure qualification for the next round without allowing Kitara an opportunity to produce a surprise.

One of the main expected changes is the return of Mohamed El Shenawy in goal, replacing Mostafa Shobier, who featured against Al Qanah in the Egyptian Premier League before being left out of the squad following his wedding celebrations.

Predicted Al Ahly Lineup

Ammouta is expected to use a 4-3-3 formation against Kitara, aiming to maintain a balance between defense and attack while allowing his wide players to create chances.

According to predictions reported by ON Sport, Al Ahly could start with the following lineup:

Goalkeeper: Mohamed El Shenawy.

Defenders: Akram Tawfik, Achraf Dari, Hady Riad, Tawfik Mohamed.

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Mohamed Magdy Afsha, Omar El Saei.

Forwards: Hussein El Shahat, Achraf Bencharki, Taher Mohamed Taher.

El Shenawy's return could provide additional experience and leadership in defense, while Bencharki, El Shahat and Taher are expected to lead Al Ahly's attacking efforts.

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The midfield will also play an important role in Ammouta's plans, with Marwan Attia providing defensive support and Afsha and Omar El Saei helping the team build attacks and create opportunities.

Seven Absentees and Qualification Plans

Al Ahly will be without seven players for different reasons, forcing the coaching staff to adjust their options ahead of the important African fixture.

Mostafa Shobier is unavailable following his wedding celebrations, while Ahmed Nabil Koka has not fully recovered from a hamstring injury.

Karim El Debes, Mahmoud Salah, Amr El Gazzar and Oktay Abdullah are also sidelined through injury.

Yasser Ibrahim will miss the match after suffering another ankle injury.

Despite these absences, Al Ahly remain in a strong position to qualify after their away victory in Uganda.

However, their narrow advantage means the contest is not yet decided.

Kitara still have an opportunity to challenge the Egyptian side, especially if they manage to score an early goal and increase the pressure on the hosts.

Al Ahly are therefore expected to take an attacking approach from the opening minutes, looking to control possession, create chances and score rather than simply protect their first-leg advantage.

The match is also important for Ammouta, who hopes to guide Al Ahly into the next round and keep their continental title ambitions alive.

With the home crowd behind them, Al Ahly will aim to deliver a convincing performance, but the key question remains whether they can overcome their injury problems and secure a comfortable qualification or face a difficult challenge from Kitara.