Al Ahly head coach Jess Thorup has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness ahead of their CAF Champions League showdown against Young Africans this weekend.
The Egyptian giants will be away from home for the Matchday Four encounter, having already taken control of the tie with a convincing 2-0 victory in the previous round of fixtures.
Speaking to the media, Thorup praised his side’s recent performances, noting that their attacking efficiency has boosted confidence within the squad. He recalled that Al Ahly delivered a strong display in the first-leg meeting against Young Africans, scoring twice and creating several additional chances that went unfinished.
Thorup added that Al Ahly are well placed in their group and remain focused with three matches still to play, starting with the upcoming fixture. He acknowledged the quality of the opposition, describing Young Africans as a side with dangerous and talented players, and stressed that his team must play for victory in order to maintain their position at the top of the group.
Addressing questions about the absence of Imam Ashour, Thorup revealed that the midfielder was disciplined for a breach of team rules. He underlined that no individual is bigger than the club and said the punishment handed to the player was appropriate for now.
The Al Ahly coach also pointed out that his team performed admirably in the first leg despite several key players returning just 72 hours earlier from international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. He added that the team has since built on that momentum in domestic competition.
Thorup concluded by insisting that Al Ahly are now fully prepared for the clash, with the entire squad fit, motivated, and determined to deliver another strong performance.
