Al-Ahly to miss Ajayi, Azarro against Espérance

CAIRO – 1 May 2018: Al-Ahly’s Junior Ajayi will not be fit for the opening game of the CAF Champions League group stage against Tunisia’s Espérance on Friday.

Ajayi picked up a muscle injury during Al-Ahly’s 1-0 loss to Alassiouty in the Egyptian Cup quarter-finals on Monday and was replaced by Salah Mohsen after 30 minutes.

Al-Ahly will also miss their Moroccan striker, Walid Azaro, who failed to recover from the muscle injury he picked up at the game against Wadi Degla in the league.

Al-Ahly had a disastrous week, as they lost the Cairo derby 2-1 to Zamalek on Thursday, before losing the chance to defend their Cup title after their loss to Alassiouty.

However, the good news for the team came from their Tunisian left back, Ali Maaloul, who will be ready to lead the team’s left flank on Friday against Espérance.



Espérance is set to arrive in Borg El Arab on Wednesday to prepare for the clash against Al-Ahly.

The Tunisian team seeks revenge from Al-Ahly players, who knocked them out of the competition last year in the quarter-finals.



Al-Ahly plays in Group A alongside Botswana’s Township Rollers F.C., Uganda’s Kampala City and Tunisia’s Espérance.