Al Ahly are facing uncertainty over the availability of Yasser Ibrahim and Karim El-Debis for their African Confederation Cup meeting with Kitara, while Ahmed Nabil Kouka is close to returning to the squad after recovering from injury.
The Egyptian champions are preparing to travel to Uganda in the early hours of Wednesday as they turn their attention to the first leg of the round of 32, scheduled for next Saturday. Their preparations follow a 2-0 victory over Zamalek in the Cairo derby during the sixth round of the Egyptian League.
A source at Al Ahly told WinWin that Ibrahim and El-Debis are unlikely to feature against Kitara because both players are still undergoing rehabilitation. Kouka, however, has made progress in his recovery, with the final decision on whether he travels resting with the technical staff.
Ibrahim has yet to return to group training, although he has started a gradual return to the pitch as part of his rehabilitation programme. His continued absence from full team sessions has reduced the likelihood of him being included in the travelling squad.
El-Debis is in a similar position, having also missed group training. However, his situation appears less complicated because he has spent a shorter period away from the team’s training sessions.
Al Ahly will continue to assess both players as preparations intensify for the trip to Uganda, with their fitness programmes determining whether they can be considered for the match.
Kouka nears return as other players continue rehabilitation
Kouka is closer to being available after completing his recovery from injury and taking part in training over the past few days. According to the source, his absence from the derby against Zamalek was a precautionary measure intended to protect him.
The final decision on his inclusion in the travelling party will be made by Al Ahly’s technical staff before the team departs for Uganda.
Meanwhile, Amr El-Gazzar has continued the first stage of his rehabilitation programme following a cruciate ligament tear. His recovery remains part of the process aimed at preparing him for a return to competitive action.
Youssef Belamri is also expected to arrive in Cairo within hours after completing the first stage of his rehabilitation in Rabat, Morocco. He has been working under the supervision of the Moroccan national team’s technical staff and will continue his treatment and rehabilitation programme with Al Ahly following his return.
Al Ahly prepare for journey to Uganda
The Al Ahly delegation will leave Cairo early on Wednesday aboard a private aircraft bound for Kampala, Uganda’s capital. From there, the team will continue by bus to Hoima, the city hosting the match against Kitara.
Sayed Abdel-Hafiz, a member of Al Ahly’s board of directors and the official responsible for the football sector, will lead the delegation.
Al Ahly will be seeking a positive result away from home to strengthen their position ahead of the second leg in Cairo. The club will hope to carry the confidence gained from their derby victory into the continental fixture.
The travelling squad is expected to feature largely the same players who were involved against Zamalek, with Kouka potentially joining the group if the technical staff gives him the green light.
The expected squad includes Mohamed El Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Hamza Alaa, Mohamed Hany, Ashraf Dari, Yassin Marei, Tawfik Mohamed, Hadi Riad, Karim Fouad, Akram Tawfik, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Ashraf Bencharki, Sofiane Benjedida, Ahmed Reda, Omar El Saai, Mohamed Magdy Afsha, Hussein El Shahat, Taher Mohamed Taher, Monsef Bekrar, Ali Mahmoud, Aktay Abdallah and Ahmed Nabil Kouka.
With the first leg approaching, Al Ahly’s immediate priority will be to finalise their travelling arrangements and determine which players are fit enough to take part in the encounter. The latest assessments of Ibrahim, El-Debis and Kouka will therefore be important as the Egyptian side prepares for its continental campaign.
