Ceramica Cleopatra: Al Ahly cover part of Nejc Gradisar’s wages as Islam Issa begins running

Islam Issa has taken an important step in his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury, with Ceramica Cleopatra confirming that the forward has started running around the pitch for the first time since being injured.

Issa suffered the injury while playing for Egypt in a friendly against Spain before the World Cup. Ceramica’s football supervisor, Moataz El-Batawy, said the player was making steady progress and remained under the supervision of Egypt national team doctor Mohamed Abou El-Ela.

“Islam Issa is progressing well towards recovery. Today, he completed his first running exercises around the pitch since suffering the injury, and he is receiving continuous follow-up from Mohamed Abou El-Ela, the Egypt national team doctor,” El-Batawy said in an interview with ON TV.

The update represents the latest stage in Issa’s rehabilitation, although no timeframe for his return to full training or competitive action was given.

Gradisar wages covered under loan agreement

El-Batawy also confirmed that Nejc Gradisar remains under contract with Ceramica Cleopatra until the end of the season, despite the Slovenian forward’s loan move involving Al Ahly.

“Gradisar’s contract with Ceramica Cleopatra continues until the end of the season. Al Ahly is covering part of the player’s salary, in accordance with what was agreed between the two clubs when the loan deal was completed,” he said.

He was also asked about Marwan Othman’s unsuccessful spell with Al Ahly. El-Batawy suggested the circumstances surrounding the club during the period of the player’s arrival may have limited his opportunities to perform as expected.

“Marwan Othman’s lack of success with Al Ahly may have been because of the circumstances the team went through during the period when the player joined, which did not help him to appear in the expected manner,” he said.

However, El-Batawy backed the striker to respond positively and insisted that Othman had the character required to cope with pressure.

“Marwan Othman has a strong personality that enables him to handle pressure. He is a distinguished striker and capable of delivering strong performances during the coming period,” he added.

Ceramica Cleopatra committed to regulations

El-Batawy also addressed the decision for ZED FC to take part in the CAF Confederation Cup, despite Ceramica Cleopatra previously announcing that it would enter the competition.

“ZED’s participation in the Confederation Cup despite Ceramica’s announcement? We are committed to the regulations, even if there are some details that were not clarified before the start of the season,” he said.

Ceramica Cleopatra had announced its participation in the CAF Confederation Cup after finishing fourth, but the Egyptian Football Association later confirmed that ZED FC, runners-up in the Egypt Cup, would take its place.

Egypt will be represented in the CAF Confederation Cup by Al Ahly and ZED FC. Zamalek and Pyramids FC will compete in the CAF Champions League.