Al Ahly name 21-man squad for Egypt Capital Cup opener against Assiut Petroleum

Al Ahly manager Hussein Ammouta has selected a 21-man squad for Wednesday’s Egypt Capital Cup group-stage match against Assiut Petroleum.

The teams will meet at Al Salam Stadium at 17:00, with the fixture marking Al Ahly’s opening game in the 2026-27 competition.

Several players have been included in the squad for the first time, while Ali Mahmoud returns after completing his involvement with the Egypt national team.

Mohamed El Sayed, who plays for Al Ahly’s 2007 team, has also been named after previously training with the senior squad.

Achraf Dari and Tawfik Mohamed make the squad for the second time this season, having also been selected for the match against Abu Qir Fertilizers.

Youth players Omar Moawad, Mohamed Abdallah and Mohamed Raafat are included, while Morocco international Sofiane Bendjida is expected to lead the attack.

Ammouta is preparing to use a number of reserve and youth players against Assiut Petroleum, with the intention of giving them opportunities in the coming period in both the Egyptian Premier League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

Al Ahly squad

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy, Hamza Alaa, Mohamed El Sayed

Defenders: Yassin Marei, Achraf Dari, Ahmed Eid, Hady Riyad, Tawfik Mohamed, Karim Fouad

Midfielders: Taher Mohamed Taher, Ahmed Reda, Akram Tawfik, Hussein El Shahat, Omar El Saai, Achraf Bencharki, Omar Moawad, Mohamed Magdi “Afsha”, Ali Mahmoud, Mohamed Abdallah

Forwards: Sofiane Bendjida, Mohamed Raafat

Al Ahly will begin preparations for their derby against Zamalek after the Assiut Petroleum match. The fixture will be played in the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League on 11 October.

The club have been drawn in Group C of the Egypt Capital Cup alongside Eastern Company, ENPPI, El Gouna, Assiut Petroleum and Al Mokawloon Al Arab.

The first round of the competition will take place after the return of domestic clubs from the international break.