Mahmoud Fayez, former head coach of the Egyptian national team, has expressed his unwavering support for Imam Ashour, following a recent disciplinary issue involving the Al-Ahly midfielder.
Ashour found himself at the center of controversy after a public dispute with team captain Mohamed El-Shennawy and a refusal to play in the match against Stade d’Abidjan, which led to a hefty fine of one million pounds imposed by the club’s sporting director, Mohamed Ramadan.
The incident, which stirred tensions within the squad, prompted an apology from Ashour to his teammates.
Fayez, who has been a prominent figure in Egyptian football, took to Facebook to offer Ashour words of encouragement, praising his talent and commitment to the game.
I still insist that Imam Ashour is technically the closest version of Kevin De Bruyne in all of Africa, and his place should be in the biggest clubs in Europe,” Fayez wrote.
He continued to highlight Ashour’s loyalty to Al-Ahly, stating that his dedication to the club “is beyond debate.
The former coach also commended Ashour for his mature decision to apologize to his colleagues.
Fayez further referenced a piece of advice from Al-Ahly’s president, Mahmoud El-Khatib, reminding Ashour not to lose the support of Zamalek fans, especially since the issue at hand was a momentary lapse.
“Today’s mistake has nothing to do with anything else,” Fayez noted.
I swear it won’t get any better from you… On the contrary, it will diminish you and take away from your focus.
Fayez’s message underscores his belief in Ashour’s potential, both as a player and a leader, encouraging him to rise above the controversy and focus on his future achievements.
The midfielder’s talent remains highly regarded, with many in Egyptian football believing that his skills could shine on some of Europe’s biggest stages.