Ahli believe that Mazembe’s bid to play next month’s Champions League game outside Egypt is ‘illogical and inexplicable’.

The Reds will host the DR Congo giants in the Group B opener on July 8, with the latter believed to be anxious about the current political instability in Egypt.

“Mazembe’s request to move the game is illogical and inexplicable. It is CAF who decides the venue,” Ahli football director Sayed Abdul-Hafiz told the club’s website.

“It is just a minor political unrest in Egypt. It is not a security crisis that threatens the safety of visiting teams.

“We played against Stade Malien in the midst of a counter military coup in Bamako.”

The game will be played behind closed doors as Zamalek visit Berekum Chelsea in the other group match.