Al Ahly Make Eight Changes for Kitara Clash as Ammouta Targets Qualification
Al Ahly head coach Houcine Ammouta has made eight changes to his starting XI for the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup round-of-32 tie against Uganda’s Kitara FC. The reshuffle brings fresh legs into the Egyptian side as they look to protect a narrow first-leg advantage and secure a place in the next round.
The teams meet at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 7 p.m. Cairo time. Al Ahly arrive with a 2-1 lead from last Saturday’s first leg, but the one-goal margin leaves little room for complacency. A win or draw would see the hosts progress, while a Kitara victory could make the tie significantly more complicated.
Ammouta rotates after the league fixture
Ammouta’s selection represents a substantial change from the side that faced El Qanah in the Egyptian league. The coach has adjusted his team in defence, midfield and attack, giving several players an opportunity to contribute in a high-stakes continental fixture.
Rotation can help manage workload during a busy schedule, particularly when domestic and African competitions demand repeated travel and intense performances. It also gives Al Ahly more options to respond to different match situations. With the first leg already won, the home side can approach the return match with a degree of control—provided they remain organised and avoid giving Kitara an early opening.
El Shenawy returns as defensive changes are made
Mohamed El Shenawy comes back into the starting line-up in goal, replacing Mostafa Shobeir. His experience and communication could be valuable as Al Ahly seek to keep Kitara from building momentum. In a second leg, even a single goal can alter the tactical picture, making concentration in the penalty area especially important.
There are also changes in defence. Hadi Riad and Karim Fouad are included, while Yasser Marei and Mohamed Hany make way. The back line is expected to balance defensive discipline with the ability to support attacks from wide areas. Al Ahly will need to guard against Kitara’s counterattacks while avoiding unnecessary risks when moving forward.
Midfield blend combines energy and experience
Akram Tawfik and Mohamed Magdy Afsha enter the midfield in place of Emam Ashour and Omar El Saai. Marwan Attia keeps his place, providing continuity in the centre of the pitch. The combination gives Ammouta a mix of ball-winning energy and creative passing as Al Ahly attempt to control possession.
That midfield battle may shape the match. If Al Ahly can keep the ball moving and limit Kitara’s opportunities to attack quickly, they can reduce pressure on their defence and manage the aggregate score. Afsha’s ability to find forward passes could also help the hosts turn possession into chances rather than simply protecting their lead.
Fresh attacking trio offers a different threat
Ammouta has completely changed his forward line, selecting Hussein El Shahat, Sofiane Bendebka and Taher Mohamed Taher. They replace Achraf Bencharki, Moncef Bakrar and Ahmed Sayed Zizo in the starting XI, giving Al Ahly a new attacking combination for the decisive encounter.
El Shahat brings direct movement and experience in the final third, while Taher can offer pace and work rate. Bendebka’s inclusion adds another option for linking midfield with attack. Their task will not only be to score: pressing Kitara’s defenders and helping the team retain possession could be just as important in preventing the visitors from building sustained pressure.
Al Ahly do not necessarily need to chase the game from the opening whistle. A patient approach could force Kitara to take greater risks as the match develops. At the same time, an early home goal would put the Egyptian side in a commanding position and increase the challenge facing the Ugandan visitors.
Al Ahly’s confirmed starting line-up
Goalkeeper: Mohamed El Shenawy.
Defence: Tawfik Mohamed, Hadi Riad, Achraf Dari and Karim Fouad.
Midfield: Akram Tawfik, Marwan Attia and Mohamed Magdy Afsha.
Attack: Hussein El Shahat, Sofiane Bendebka and Taher Mohamed Taher.
Substitutes available against Kitara
Al Ahly’s bench includes Hamza Alaa, Yasser Marei, Ahmed Eid, Moncef Bakrar, Omar El Saai, Achraf Bencharki, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Ahmed Nabil Kouka and Mohamed Abdullah. The options give Ammouta room to adjust his tactics, add attacking pace or strengthen the midfield depending on how the match unfolds.
Match prediction: can Kitara overturn the deficit?
Al Ahly start as favourites, thanks to their 2-1 first-leg win, home advantage and greater experience in continental competition. However, the tie remains open: Kitara need to find a way to score, and that urgency could make the visitors dangerous if they exploit space behind the defence.
The key for Al Ahly will be to stay composed, defend set pieces carefully and make their possession count. For Kitara, an early goal would transform the contest and put pressure on the hosts. The most likely scenario is a competitive match in which Al Ahly seek to control the tempo, with their qualification hopes depending on disciplined defending as much as attacking quality.
With eight changes and a refreshed front line, Ammouta has signalled his intent to manage the squad while keeping the team focused on the result. Al Ahly’s 2-1 advantage gives them a useful platform, but they must still deliver a complete performance to keep their CAF Confederation Cup campaign on track.
