USM Alger coach Lamine Ndiaye dismisses Al Ahly interest in Ashraf Abada

USM Alger coach Lamine Ndiaye has rejected reports that defender Ashraf Abada could join Al Ahly during the upcoming winter transfer window.

Ndiaye said his club had received no official offer for Abada or team-mate Al-Khaldi, and confirmed that both players would remain with USM Alger until the end of the season.

“Reports about the transfer of Abada and Al-Khaldi are only rumours,” Ndiaye told ON Sport. “We have not received any official offers for either of them, and they will stay with us until the end of the season.”

The comments end speculation linking Abada with a move to Al Ahly, amid reports that the Egyptian club were considering a deal for the USM Alger defender.

Ndiaye also praised the development of African coaches and highlighted the role played by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in their preparation.

“African coaches are now on the right path, and CAF plays a major role in preparing them,” he said. “Our continent is rich in good coaches, and I could write a long list of qualified managers capable of achieving similar successes.”

The Senegalese coach guided USM Alger to the Confederation Cup title last season, with the Algerian side beating Zamalek on penalties in the final.

USM Alger have since added the African Super Cup to their honours, defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in Pretoria.

Ndiaye said the Confederation Cup had become increasingly competitive, while Al Ahly’s involvement had made the current edition more difficult because of the club’s standing and history in African football.

“The competition in the Confederation Cup becomes stronger every year,” he said. “Of course, Al Ahly’s participation makes this edition more difficult, given the club’s status and its great continental history.”