Egypt’s Ahly left star Ahmed Fathi behind when they flew to Botswana on Tuesday ahead of their Saturday away game against the Township Rollers in the African Champions League, to allow him to recover from an injury sustained in training.

“Fathi suffered a groin muscle strain during Monday’s training sessions and he will undergo a rehabilitation programme in an attempt to prepare him as soon as possible,” Ahly assistant coach Mohamed Youssef told their official website Monday.

The record-holders recovered from a poor start to their group stage campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over the Township Rollers on Tuesday in Alexandria, giving new coach Patrice Carteron a winning start.

Ahly are bidding to cement their dominance and win their eighth Champions League trophy.

Veteran international defender Fathi, 33, who extended his stay with the Cairo giants for two more years, is used to playing in various positions with both Ahly and Egypt, including right back, midfield and defence.