Al Ahly dismiss Amouta rumours as fringe players line up for cup chance

Al Ahly will begin their Professional League Cup campaign against Asyut Petroleum on Wednesday, with coach Houcine Ammouta expected to use the match to assess players who have had limited involvement with the first team.

The game at Al Salam Stadium comes only days before Al Ahly’s eagerly anticipated league meeting with Zamalek, and former Al Ahly and Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobair has outlined some of the likely changes to the team.

Shobair said Ammouta would remain in charge for the match and indicated that several squad players could be given an opportunity. Writing on the social media platform X, he said the game could feature “Achraf Dari, Reda Slim, Kebaka and Ahmed Eid”.

Tawfik Mohamed may also take part, while Hamza Alaa is expected to start in goal for Al Ahly.

Shobair also revealed that there is growing frustration within the club over reports claiming Ammouta is unhappy with the performances of some players. Al Ahly’s management is understood to be particularly concerned by the continued circulation of the reports so close to the derby against Zamalek.

According to Shobair, Ammouta has remained focused on his work and has not raised the matter with the football department. However, club officials reportedly believe the timing of the stories raises questions, and that Al Ahly will not ignore the repeated publication of what it considers to be inaccurate information.

Injury update ahead of Zamalek match

Ahmed Nabil Koka is close to returning to full team training, but Karim El Debes has been ruled out of Sunday’s match against Zamalek.

Yasser Ibrahim has started running as he continues his recovery, although he has not yet returned to wearing football boots. Shobair put his chances of playing in the derby at no more than 50%.

The defender’s involvement will depend on whether he can join group training one day before the match. Even if he does, that may not give Ammouta enough time to select him in the starting line-up.

If Yasser is unavailable, the most likely central defensive pairing for Al Ahly will be Hady Riyad and Yassin Marei, according to Shobair.

Al Ahly will face Zamalek at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday evening in the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League. Before then, Ammouta is expected to use the meeting with Asyut Petroleum to give playing time to his substitutes and prepare members of the squad for the league’s major fixture.