Al Ahly omit Ahmed Nabil ‘Koka’ from squad for Zamalek derby

Al Ahly midfielder Ahmed Nabil ‘Koka’ has been left out of the squad for Sunday’s Egyptian Premier League meeting with Zamalek because he is not fully fit.

The Cairo rivals will meet at Cairo International Stadium at 20:00 local time in the sixth round of the competition.

FilGoal.com understands that Al Ahly’s coaching staff, led by Hussein Ammouta, decided not to select Koka after assessing his physical condition.

Koka has been recovering from a second-degree hamstring strain. Although he has returned to training with Al Ahly, the coaching staff believe he has not yet reached full fitness for the derby.

Al Ahly are third in the Egyptian Premier League with 13 points, level with second-placed Zamalek. Zamalek occupy the higher position because of their superior goal difference.

Pyramids lead the table on 15 points.

Following Sunday’s match, both Egyptian clubs will turn their attention to African competition. Zamalek will play in the CAF Champions League, while Al Ahly will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The derby will be broadcast on ON Sport and ON Sport Max.

Ayman El Kashif will commentate on the first audio channel on ON Sport, with Mohamed El Shazly on the second. On ON Sport Max, Bilal Allam will provide commentary on the first audio channel and Moamen Hassan on the second.