Ammouta rejects Al Shabab links as Al Ahly return to winning ways

Al Ahly head coach Hussein Ammouta dismissed reports linking him with a move to Al Shabab Saudi, claiming they were spread by people posing as members of the media who wanted to cause division between his players and coaching staff.

Al Ahly moved back to the top of the Egyptian Premier League, at least temporarily, with a 2-0 victory over Abu Qir Fertilizers at Cairo International Stadium.

The result followed a 1-1 draw with Al Mokawloon Al Arab in their previous league match and took Al Ahly to 13 points after five games. Their position could change after the fixtures involving Zamalek and Pyramids are completed.

Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” and Hussein El Shahat scored the goals, while Abu Qir Fertilizers remain 17th with three points.

“There is no easy match in the league; everyone prepares well when they face Al Ahly,” Ammouta said at his post-match news conference.

“The only negative against Abu Qir Fertilizers was that the second goal, which gave us reassurance, came late. Our attacking effectiveness was not there in the second half until Hussein El Shahat came on, but we secured three important points before the international break, and they will help us in the race for the league title.”

Ammouta also thanked the Al Ahly supporters after they chanted in his support.

“I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their backing,” he said. “This is the true face of Al Ahly: supporters who stand behind their team in good times and bad.”

The manager said he was still assessing his squad after the opening five matches, particularly because some players had returned late from international duty.

“We are looking for the best combination of players,” Ammouta said. “We saw Emam Ashour make his first start, and that was natural given what happened during the first five rounds.”

On reports of interest from Al Shabab Saudi, he added: “Some people associated with the media are enemies of Al Ahly and are trying to create tension between the players and the coaching staff. But everything is good inside the club, and we are working very seriously to compete for every trophy.

“It would be shameful for me personally to negotiate with another club while I am at Al Ahly. I believe in the club’s project and am fully focused on my work here.”

Ammouta attributed the team’s inconsistent performances to injuries and a lack of full fitness. He noted that the entire defence was changed for the match, adding that Al Ahly had experienced difficulties defensively apart from the third game, when they had not been properly tested.

“Winning titles requires a team to suffer and work hard,” he said. “There is no easy match or easy competition.”

Emam Ashour was substituted after 60 minutes as planned, with Ammouta saying the midfielder was needed by both Al Ahly and the Egypt national team.

“All our changes were attacking,” he added. “The five players who came on improved our attacking performance and helped us score the second goal, although it took a long time to arrive.”

Al Ahly’s next league match is against Zamalek on 11 October in the sixth round. Ammouta said El Shahat and Mohamed Magdy “Afsha” would be considered for starts in upcoming fixtures, depending on fitness, as he looks to rotate the squad during a congested schedule.