Al Ahly will not judge Ammouta on Egypt Capital Cup, says Ahmed Shobier

Al Ahly have told head coach Houcine Ammouta that his performance in the Egypt Capital Cup will not be assessed, former club and Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobier has revealed, with the club instead prioritising the Confederation, the Egyptian Premier League and the Egypt Cup.

The decision comes only days before Al Ahly’s league meeting with Zamalek, while discussions continue over the refereeing team for the fixture.

According to Shobier, Al Ahly’s management has made clear that the Egypt Capital Cup is intended to give reserve players and younger members of the squad more playing time rather than provide a measure of Ammouta’s work.

“Al Ahly told Ammouta: ‘You will not be held accountable at all for the Egypt Capital Cup. This is a tournament in which you will prepare the substitutes and give the young players an opportunity,’” Shobier wrote on X.

He added: “‘Our important competitions for you at the moment are the Confederation, the league and the Egypt Cup, until we know our position regarding the Super Cup.’”

Refereeing decision delayed

Shobier also provided an update on the officials expected to take charge of Sunday’s Al Ahly-Zamalek match at Cairo International Stadium, which is part of the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League.

He said a meeting to discuss the refereeing arrangements had been postponed after Essam Abdel-Fattah was involved in a serious accident.

“I asked about the refereeing team for the derby and was told that Essam Abdel-Fattah had been involved in a very serious accident, but thankfully he survived,” Shobier said. “He was in Ismailia, so the meeting was postponed.”

The former goalkeeper said a highly regarded referee from outside the five major European leagues was among the leading candidates to officiate the match.

He also revealed that the refereeing committee had received responses from two federations belonging to countries in the five major leagues. The matter is expected to be discussed before the appointment is confirmed.

“What I have learned is that a major referee from outside the five major leagues is a candidate,” Shobier added. “The refereeing committee has received replies from two federations from the five major leagues. They will discuss the issue and announce the refereeing team for the derby today, or more likely tomorrow.”