Ahli assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri said the team's Champions League commitment forces the technical staff to rely on the old guard rather than fielding new signings. The Red Devils were widely criticized for not giving a chance to their close-season arrivals to prove their worth. Striker Hani Al-Egeizi, who joined Ahli from Baladeya, justified the criticism by scoring twice against Petrojet after being introduced as a second-half substitute. However, Al-Badri insists Ahli have no other choice but to depend on the players who are already registered in their Champions League squad. “We have to stick to our strategy until the end of our African campaign,” Al-Badri said following Ahli's impressive 4-0 over Petrojet, the Egyptian League surprise leaders. Ahli's summer signings were not able to take part in the elite competition as they arrived after the deadline for submitting the Champions League squad list. And in order to maintain harmony within the team, Ahli coach Manuel Jose prefers to use in the Champions League the same players who regularly play in domestic competitions. Six-time African champions Ahli face Enyimba in the Champions League semi-final. The first-leg tie will take place on October 5th in Nigeria. “Today's big win over Petrojet came at an ideal time, just few days before we meet Enyimba,” Al-Badri added.