"The advantages of playing in the Arab Champions League are more than those of the CAF Champions League," Ismaili general manager Abdul-Rahman Anous told FilGoal.com.

Ismaili booked a place in the CAF Champions League after their second-place finish in the Egyptian League last season.

But according to Egyptian FA regulations, a club can't participate in two regional competitions at the same time.

"The Arab Champions League is more valuable than the African competition because it provides good financial rewards," Anous said.

"It is also easier for Ismaili to compete for the Arab title. Moreover, the transportation between Arab countries is very comfortable.

"We always suffer when we play abroad in the African Champions League."

The Arab Champions League kicks off in September while the preliminary rounds of its African equivalent begin in February.