Ahli assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri told the club's official website that the decision to exclude Barakat, who made his comeback against Zimbabwe's Highlanders in the CAF Champions League after a long injury lay-off, was based on technical reasons.

Al-Badri stressed that the 30-year-old is fully fit after he sustained a small bruise in is knee during an Ahli training session earlier this week.

Ghanaian midfielder Akwetey Mensah has been included and so as back-up goalkeeper Amir Abdul-Hamid, who was left out of Ahli's previous African game for disciplinary reasons.

Left-winger Tarek Al-Saied will miss the match due to suspension.