Al Ahly rule out Yasser Ibrahim and Mahmoud Salah for Zamalek derby

Al Ahly will be without Yasser Ibrahim and Mahmoud Salah for Sunday’s Egyptian Premier League meeting with Zamalek, football director Wael Gomaa has confirmed.

The two clubs meet in the sixth round of the league, with Al Ahly currently third in the table on 13 points. They are level on goal difference with second-placed Zamalek and two points behind leaders Pyramids.

Gomaa told FilGoal.com that Ibrahim had been left out because he had not recovered from injury, while Mahmoud Salah’s omission was a technical decision.

“Yasser Ibrahim has been ruled out of the derby against Zamalek because he has not recovered from his injury, while Mahmoud Salah has been left out for technical reasons,” Gomaa said.

Ibrahim was injured during Al Ahly’s fourth-round match against El Mokawloon El Arab. The international defender is continuing with his physiotherapy and rehabilitation programme after suffering a sprain to the medial ligament and a tear to the lateral ligament in his ankle.

Mahmoud Salah, who joined Al Ahly from Ghazl El Mahalla at the start of the season, has returned to the club after helping Egypt’s youth team win the North Africa tournament.

Gomaa also confirmed that five players are available for selection against Zamalek.

“Koka and Afsha are ready for the match against Zamalek after recovering from their injuries. Omar Sayed Moawad, Mohannad El Shamy and Mohamed Raafat will also be present,” he said.

The derby will therefore come too soon for Ibrahim, who remains in rehabilitation, while the decision to omit Mahmoud Salah was made on sporting grounds. Al Ahly’s squad will include the five players cleared to take part, including Koka and Afsha following their return from injury.