Ahly striker Da Silva may miss Mouloudia clash

Mauritanian striker Dominique Da Silva will learn on Thursday whether he would be able to participate in Friday's crucial CAF Champions League clash at home to Mouloudia Alger. Da Silva missed Ahly's 2-1 defeat at Tunisian outfit Esperance due to an abdominal strain he sustained in the 3-3 draw with Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca in the team's group stage opener. The 21-year-old returned to training last Sunday but will have his condition assessed by coach Manuel Jose on Thursday, one day before the Red Devils host Mouloudia in a must-win clash. He is likely to miss out on the game, Ahram Online has learnt. Dominique, who joined Ahly last January, produced some superb displays lately to earn a regular place in the team’s starting line up. He scored a remarkable goal in the dying minutes as Ahly salvaged a 2-2 Cairo derby draw with arch rivals Zamalek, a result which eventually helped the Red Devils claim a seventh successive Egyptian Premier League. Ahly, the record holders of the Champions League with six titles under their belt, will be desperately seeking to claim all three points at the expense of Mouloudia to atone for a poor start to their group stage campaign. “I hope the new signings, winger Ahmed Shedid and Brazilian striker Fabio Junior help the team in the remaining games of the competition," said Jose, who steered Ahly to four out of their sixth triumphs. Ahly are third in Group B with one point, three behind leading duo Wydad and Esperancde.