Al Ahly quartet declared fit for Zamalek derby after injury setbacks

Al Ahly have received a major injury boost ahead of next month’s Cairo derby, with Mohamed El Shenawy, Taher Mohamed Taher, Ahmed Nabil Kouka and Yasser Ibrahim all declared fit to face rivals Zamalek.

The Egyptian champions take on Zamalek in the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League on 11 October at Cairo International Stadium, following the international break.

The update was confirmed by club official Ehab El-Khatib, who said on Al Ahly’s official television programme, Here is Al Ahly, that the club’s medical staff had cleared all four players to return for the high-profile encounter.

“Al Ahly’s medical staff confirms that the team’s four injured players will be ready to play against Zamalek in the summit,” El-Khatib said.

The news marks a significant turnaround after all four players had been sidelined with different injuries in recent weeks.

Goalkeeper El Shenawy had been diagnosed with a second-degree strain in his left adductor muscle after suffering the injury during training.

Al Ahly’s head of medical staff, Ahmed Gaballah, had outlined plans for the Egypt international to undergo rehabilitation and physical therapy before returning to action.

Forward Taher Mohamed Taher was recovering from a severe bruise and ligament sprain in his left elbow, while midfielder Ahmed Nabil Kouka sustained a grade-two strain in his lower left hamstring, according to MRI results.

Defender Yasser Ibrahim had also been following an individual rehabilitation programme after medical examinations confirmed the extent of his injury.

The quartet’s return provides a timely lift for Al Ahly as they prepare for one of African football’s biggest rivalries, with the Cairo derby carrying added significance in the early stages of the league campaign.

Their availability is expected to strengthen Marcel Koller’s squad as Al Ahly seek to continue their pursuit of domestic honours against their fiercest rivals at a packed Cairo International Stadium.