African champions Al Ahly will open their title defence campaign with a clash against Niger’s AS SONIDEP in the first round.
Al Ahly had secured a historic Champions League title following a 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Zamalek just last November and now set to start a new version of the tournament.
The first-leg set to be played on Wednesday, December 23 in Niger, two weeks before the return-leg in Cairo.
The Reds will head into the game without three of their key players, namely Mohamed Magdy Afsha, Rami Rabia, and Amr El-Sulya as well as head coach Pitso Mosimane after they all tested positive for COVID-19.
On the other hand, Saad Samir has made a return back to the squad for the first time in a long time, with his appearance for the club coming last year.
Taher Mohame Taher has also returned to the squad alongside youngster Mohamed Shokry.
However, both Marwan Mohsen and Walid Soliman will miss the game due to injury.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy, Ali Lotfy, Mostafa Shobeir.
Defenders: Yasser Ibrahim, Ayman Ashraf, Saad Samir, Mahmoud Wahid, Ali Maaloul, Badr Benoun, Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Ramadan Beckham, Mohamed Shokry.
Midfielders: Hamdi Fathi, Aliou Dieng, Geraldo, Akram Tawfik.
Forwards: Mahmoud Kahraba, Salah Mohsen, Taher Mohamed Taher, Mohamed Sherif, Ahmed Yasser Rayan.