Aballou: A site made by fans, for fans

Red Fortress Ready: Al Ahly's Bold Blueprint to Top Young Africans in CAF Champions League

23 January 2026

Red Fortress Ready: Al Ahly's Bold Blueprint to Top Young Africans in CAF Champions League
Al Ahly hosts Young Africans in a pivotal CAF CL group clash

Match Preview

The Danish manager Yees Torub has settled on the lineup for the clash against Young Africans at the Army Stadium in Borg El Arab on Friday night, as part of the CAF Champions League Group Stage, Matchday 3.

Al Ahly sit on top of the group with four points after a 4-1 win over JS Kabylie in Cairo and a 1-1 draw with AS FAR Rabat. Their target is another victory, boosted by the Red Devils' fans expected to fill the stands.

The Reds share the lead with Young Africans on the same four points, while JS Kabylie and AS FAR Rabat sit on one point each.

Projected Lineup

Goalkeeper: Mohammed El Shennawy

Defence: Mohamed Hani, Yasser Ibrahim, Yassin Mar'i, Ahmed Nabil Kouka

Midfield: Aliou Dieng, Marwan Attia, Imam Ashour

Attack: Ahmed Zizou, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Niets Gradychar

The plan is a high-press, fast-break style, with the midfielders dictating tempo and the attackers looking to stretch the Young Africans’ backline.

Punchline 1: If this plan scores, the net might file a restraining order against the goalkeeper for stealing its heart.

Punchline 2: And if the sequence flops, the coach will claim the ball was abducted by a stealthy wind and call it a tactical thunderstorm.

Author

Avatar

Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the match played?

Borg El Arab Stadium, Cairo.

What are the current group standings?

Al Ahly and Young Africans lead the group on four points each; JS Kabylie and AS FAR Rabat have one point.

Who are the main lineup players for Al Ahly?

Starting XI includes Mohammed El Shennawy; Mohamed Hani, Yasser Ibrahim, Yassin Mar'i, Ahmed Nabil Kouka in defense; Aliou Dieng, Marwan Attia, Imam Ashour in midfield; Ahmed Zizou, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Niets Gradychar in attack.