Al Ahly’s Ahmed Kabaka begins gradual return to training before Smouha match

Al Ahly midfielder Ahmed Kabaka has begun a gradual return to full team training after recovering from an anterior muscle injury, but he will not be included in the squad for Thursday’s Egyptian Premier League meeting with Smouha.

Al Ahly completed their final training session on Wednesday ahead of the third-round fixture, which will kick off at 20:00 on Thursday at Cairo Stadium.

Kabaka took part in portions of the group session as he continues his return to fitness. Al Ahly team doctor Ahmed Gab Allah confirmed that the midfielder had recovered from the injury, although his involvement remains carefully managed.

“Kabaka has recovered from the injury he sustained, which caused pain in the anterior muscle, and has begun participating gradually in training,” Gab Allah told Al Ahly’s official website.

Despite making progress, Kabaka remains absent from Al Ahly’s squad for the match against Smouha. He is one of 13 players unavailable for the game.

The club’s final preparations included a lengthy tactical lecture delivered by head coach Hussein Ammouta. The manager used the meeting to explain several tactical aspects of the team’s preparations and outline the responsibilities expected of each player during the match.

The players then completed a range of physical exercises before moving on to tactical and positional work. The session concluded with a competitive practice match involving all available players.

Al Ahly go into the game after winning both of their opening league fixtures. They defeated ZED FC 2-0 in the second round, having begun the campaign with a 3-2 victory against Eastern Company Enppi in the opening round.

The Smouha match will be Al Ahly’s third league fixture of the season. Their preparations have therefore focused on maintaining their perfect start while managing the fitness of players returning from injury.

Kabaka’s gradual participation provides a positive development for the squad, but the midfielder will not be rushed back into competitive action. His absence from the Smouha squad means Al Ahly will continue without him as they seek a third consecutive league victory.

Hussein Ammouta’s side will face Smouha at Cairo Stadium with their early-season record still intact. The team has scored five goals across its first two matches and conceded two, while Thursday’s meeting will offer another opportunity to extend that unbeaten start.