Al Ahly comeback prompts Ahmed Shobair debate over team selection and refereeing

Ahmed Shobair has questioned Hussein Ammouta’s team selection after Al Ahly recovered from two goals down to beat Eastern Company Enppi 3-2 in their Egyptian Premier League opener, while also criticising former referee Jihad Grisha over his assessment of the match’s penalty decision.

Al Ahly secured all three points despite a clearly inconsistent performance and Eastern Company Enppi missing a penalty. The victory was particularly valuable because Al Ahly began last season with a draw against Modern Sport before eventually losing the title by only three points.

Speaking on Monday, former Al Ahly goalkeeper Shobair said Karim Fouad should only fill in at left-back when there is no suitable alternative.

“There were some mistakes by Al Ahly in the match against Eastern Company Enppi,” Shobair said. “In my view, Karim Fouad should not play at left-back unless it is necessary. If Karim El Debes is unavailable, or Kouka has played in that position several times, then you should leave the job to the specialist. But in the end, it is the manager’s opinion.”

Shobair also argued that Yasser Ibrahim should not have been left on the bench whenever he is fit to play. He said Ammouta had explained that players involved in the World Cup were feeling tired, while Emam Ashour had recovered from injury, trained well and wanted to be included in the squad.

“Yasser Ibrahim should not be on the bench,” Shobair added. “As long as he is fit, you as a coach have to play him, especially since you refused to let him leave. But Ammouta says the players who took part in the World Cup are a little tired. Emam Ashour had been injured, then trained well and wanted to be included in the squad. That could give him a role. Al Ahly have a day off today and still have three training sessions before the next match, so Emam could be in the squad, even if he starts among the substitutes.”

Despite his reservations, Shobair praised Ammouta’s substitutions and said the manager had a clear influence on the match.

“I like Ammouta’s changes very much,” he said. “He brought on Sufyan Benjeddah, Ali Mahmoud and Karim El Debes, and the match improved to a very great extent. The result was that Al Ahly scored their second goal. Then, in the 85th minute, he brought on Afsha for Zizo and Hussein El Shahat for Bencharki, who was named man of the match and had an excellent game. But in my view, Marwan Attia was the man of the match.”

Shobair said each change had affected the way Al Ahly played. He credited the first three substitutions with helping the side draw level and the later changes with contributing to the winning goal. He also defended Afsha after what he described as a strong campaign of criticism, urging Al Ahly supporters to show patience with their players.

The broadcaster also addressed the penalty awarded to Al Ahly. Achraf Bencharki won the spot-kick in the second half, with Ahmed Sayed Zizo converting it to make the score level. Shobair said the decision was “100% correct” and praised the experienced players for responding after the team had fallen two goals behind.

“Al Ahly supporters were stunned when Eastern Company Enppi went 2-0 ahead and then missed a penalty as well,” he said. “That is when the character of experienced players such as Marwan Attia appears. He scored a powerful shot that could not be stopped. In the second half, Bencharki won a completely correct penalty, and Zizo, who had a good game, equalised.”

Shobair then challenged Jihad Grisha’s public view that the penalty should not have been awarded. He said he respected Grisha’s opinion but believed former members of Egypt’s refereeing committee should apply the same interpretation of the laws after leaving their positions as they did while serving on the committee.

“I respect opinions more than anyone,” Shobair said. “I defend your right, with all my strength, to express your opinion even if it differs from mine. But what upsets me is when your opinion is connected to your position.”

Referring directly to Grisha, he added: “Captain Jihad Grisha, whom I respect very much, suddenly appeared in a video and said the penalty was not correct. Fine, that is your opinion and I respect it, honestly. But I could show you many similar incidents, and Captain Jihad completely agreed with the referee’s decision.”

Shobair said the laws should not change according to a person’s job or status.

“Stay with your opinion, Captain Jihad, and so should everyone else,” he said. “The law has nothing to do with whether you are in the committee or not. The law is the law. It is a very strange matter when the interpretation depends on the position I hold or the place where I am working.”

Shobair also revealed that Zamalek are preparing to challenge their two-window registration ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The club is gathering its documents and wants to request a hearing in an attempt to have the punishment reduced to a single registration period.

He said Zamalek must first settle outstanding cases involving Ittihad Tanger over the transfer of Abdel Hamid Maali and Swedish club AIK over the deal for Omar Faraj. The club is seeking settlements and payment schedules with both sides before approaching the sports court, a step Shobair believes would strengthen Zamalek’s position.