Yasser Ibrahim handed first start of season as Al Ahly make two changes for Smouha

Hussein Ammouta has named Yasser Ibrahim in central defence for the first time this season as Al Ahly face Smouha in the third round of the Egyptian Premier League.

The match is scheduled to begin at 20:00 at Cairo International Stadium, with Al Ahly looking to maintain their perfect start to the league campaign.

Ammouta has made two changes to the side that defeated ZED in their previous league fixture. Soufiane Benjdida comes into the attack in place of Monsef Bekrar, while Yasser Ibrahim replaces Hady Riyad in defence.

Al Ahly sit third in the table with six points from two victories. Smouha, meanwhile, are 17th with one point after drawing one match and losing another.

Mostafa Shobeir starts in goal for Al Ahly, with Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Amr El Gazar and Ahmed Nabil Kouka forming the defensive line.

Marwan Attia, Ali Mahmoud and Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” are selected in midfield, while Achraf Bencharki, Taher Mohamed and Soufiane Benjdida make up the attacking trio.

Al Ahly’s starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Mostafa Shobeir

Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Amr El Gazar, Ahmed Nabil Kouka

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Ali Mahmoud, Ahmed Sayed “Zizo”

Forwards: Achraf Bencharki, Taher Mohamed, Soufiane Benjdida

The substitutes are Mohamed El Shenawy, Yassin Marei, Hady Riyad, Karim Fouad, Monsef Bekrar, Mohamed Magdy “Afsha”, Hussein El Shahat, Ahmed Reda and Oktay Abdullah.

Yasser Ibrahim’s inclusion is the most notable feature of the team selected by Ammouta, after the defender was left out of the starting line-up for Al Ahly’s opening league matches of the season. His return to the centre of defence comes as the club attempt to build on their two wins and continue their early challenge near the top of the Egyptian Premier League.

Smouha arrive at Cairo International Stadium seeking their first victory of the campaign. They have taken one point from their opening two matches and currently occupy 17th place in the standings.

Al Ahly’s previous league outing was against ZED, and Ammouta has opted for only two alterations to that side. The changes give Benjdida an opportunity to lead the attack and restore Yasser Ibrahim to the defensive unit, while several experienced options remain available on the bench, including Mohamed El Shenawy, Mohamed Magdy “Afsha” and Hussein El Shahat.