Al Ahly to ask Egypt to exempt players from South Africa friendly

Al Ahly are considering asking the Egyptian Football Association to exempt their players from Egypt’s friendly against South Africa on 4 October.

The Pharaohs are scheduled to round off their current training camp with the friendly at Cairo International Stadium.

According to multiple reports in the Egyptian media, Al Ahly are preparing a request similar to the arrangement that allowed Egypt captain Mohamed Salah to leave the national team camp before Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan.

Salah was released from the squad because the match in Juba is being played on an artificial-turf pitch.

The proposed request comes amid tensions between Al Ahly and Egypt coach Hossam Hassan following his recent comments about veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy.

Hassan’s remarks about the Al Ahly captain sparked a strong reaction from the club, which publicly criticised the national team coach ahead of Egypt’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifier against Angola.

Six Al Ahly players are currently part of Hassan’s squad: goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, Emam Ashour, Ali Mahmoud, Mohamed Hany, Marwan Attia and Ahmed Mostafa Zizo.

Egypt began their AFCON qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Angola in Cairo on Friday.

They will face South Sudan in Juba in their second Group B qualifier next Tuesday, with Malawi completing the four-team group.

Al Ahly, meanwhile, are due to return to Egyptian Premier League action against rivals Zamalek on 11 October at Cairo International Stadium.

The Cairo derby will be played in the sixth round of the league.