Egyptian football giants Al Ahly SC have signaled their serious intentions for the upcoming Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round, naming a formidable 24-man squad to face Uganda’s Kitara FC.

The highly anticipated first-leg encounter is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the Hoima City Stadium.

The record CAF Champions League winners, who entered the competition with a first-round bye, are taking no chances against a confident Kitara side. Kitara earned their spot in this round by eliminating Somalia’s Mogadishu City, winning both legs of their tie hosted in Uganda.

Star Power and Tactical Additions

Moroccan head coach Hussein Ammouta has assembled an elite traveling delegation blending seasoned international experience with high-profile talent. The squad features prominent Egyptian internationals, including midfield dynamo Emam Ashour, reliable fullback Mohamed Hany, and midfield anchor Marwan Ateya.

In a significant selection highlight, Ahmed Mostafa Mohamed Sayed ‘Zizo’ is included in the traveling party, adding substantial attacking threat to the squad. Furthermore, influential club captain and goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy has been named to the team and is making the trip despite carrying a recent injury, underlining his vital leadership role within the camp.

The team is scheduled to arrive at Entebbe International Airport early Wednesday morning. From there, they will immediately travel to Hoima by road to begin their final preparations and acclimatize to the local conditions.

Notable Absences

Despite the squad’s immense depth, Al Ahly will have to navigate the first leg without several key defensive and attacking options due to a costly medical room list:

• Yasser Ibrahim: The dependable center-back remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
• Youssef Belammari: The Moroccan utility player misses out following a severe cruciate ligament tear.
• Amir El Gazaar: Out of contention due to a ligament tear.
• Taher Mohamed: Sidelined with an elbow injury.

Banishing the Ghosts of 2018

Al Ahly’s trip to Hoima marks their first competitive appearance in Uganda in eight years. The Cairo-based powerhouse will be eager to script a different narrative than their last visit in 2018, when they suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat to KCCA FC at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

With Kitara FC enjoying home advantage, football fans in Hoima are set for a historic continental showdown as the local underdogs look to upset Africa’s most decorated club.

The full squad selected by Ammouta includes:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Hamza Alaa.

Defenders: Yassin Marei, Achraf Dari, Hady Reyad, Mohamed Hany, Karim Fouad, Ahmed Eid.

Forwards: Soufiane Benjdida, Mounsef Bakrar, Hussein El Shahat, Achraf Bencharki, Ahmed Mostafa Mohamed Sayed ‘Zizo’.