Zamalek name Ahmed Sherif in starting XI against Al Ahly as Oday Dabbagh drops to bench

Zamalek have named Ahmed Sherif in their starting XI for their Egyptian Premier League meeting with Al Ahly, while Oday Dabbagh has been left on the bench.

The two sides face each other in the sixth round of the competition, with Zamalek manager Moataz Gamal confirming his line-up shortly before the match.

Dabbagh, who has been affected by a cold, does not start. Sherif will instead lead the attack alongside Chico Banza, while Hossam Ashraf is among the substitutes.

Zamalek’s starting line-up is:

Goalkeeper: El Mahdy Soliman

Defenders: Mahmoud Bentayg, Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh, Mohamed Ismail, Omar Gaber

Midfielders: Mohamed Shehata, Ahmed Rabie, Abdullah El Said, Ahmed Fattouh

Forwards: Chico Banza, Ahmed Sherif

Dabbagh is joined on the substitutes’ bench by Hossam Ashraf, while Mohamed Sobhi, Ahmed Hossam and Ahmed El-Gafaly have been left out of the squad altogether.

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

Pyramids lead the table on 15 points.