The midfielder was expected to feature against his former club, given the loss of Mohamed Shawki who joined Premiership side Middlesbrough.

However, Ahli coach Mohamed Jose has preferred to name trio Anis Boujelbene, Hassan Mostafa and Hossam Ashour, with two of them expected to form a partnership in the heart of the team's midfield.

Stand-in right-back Ahmed Sedik was given the nod ahead of Ahmed Adel, while newly-arrived striker Reda Al-Weeshi was omitted despite being included in Ahli's squad for the past few matches.

The full squad:

Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari, Amir Abdul-Hamid

Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Shadi Mohamed, Emad Al-Nahhas, Ahmed Al-Sayed, Mohamed Mahmoud 'Nano', Gilberto, Islam Al-Shater, Ahmed Sedik

Midfielders: Hassan Mostafa, Anis Boujelbene, Hossam Ashour, Mohamed Barakat, Mohamed Abou-Treika

Strikers: Osama Hosni, Flavio Amado, Emad Meteb