5 November 2009
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Ismaily are closing in on Etoile Sahel's Nigerian striker Emeka Opara in a bid to improve on their goal scoring, according to a top official at the club.
"Opara will arrive in Egypt soon to conclude talks and undergo a medical," Ismaily board member Khaled Al-Tayeb said.
"His contract with [Tunisian side] Etoile will expire in December so we should face no difficulty in signing him. We just need to wrap up financial matters with the player."
The top Egyptian club, who last season finished behind champions Al Ahly after a league play-off, have also been linked with another Nigerian striker, Emeka Nwanna, who features for CAF Champions League finalists Heartland.
Nwanna, 29, claimed he has been approached by the club, but will only decide on the offer after this weekend's Champions League final at TP Mazembe.
Ismaily are shopping for strikers after their frontmen failed to score in the Egyptian Premier League thus far, with all of their 11 goals coming from midfielders and defenders.
Tunisia international Mohamed Selliti, who arrived in the close season, has had limited opportunities to prove his worth, while Mohamed Abou-Greisha has failed to reproduce last season's form.
Ismaily's third striker Youssef Gamal will be sidelined for the rest of the season with a damaged cruciate ligament.
"Coach Emad Soliman asked the club to bring in an experienced striker," Al-Tayeb disclosed.
Opara, 24, scored eight goals to help Etoile reach the 2006 Confederation Cup final before joining German second division side Kaiserslautern in January 2007. He returned to Etoile a year later.
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