“No one is above Al Ahly” — Thorup sends strong warning before Young Africans clash | OneFootball

Discipline dominates headlines before Young Africans showdown

“No one is above Al Ahly” — Thorup sends strong warning before Young Africans clash

Al Ahly coach Jess Thorup said no player is above the club as the team prepares to face Young Africans in the CAF Champions League.

Danish head coach Jess Thorup has made it clear that discipline comes first at Al Ahly stressing that “no one is bigger than the team” ahead of the club’s important trip to Tanzania.

Al Ahly will face Young Africans on Saturday in round 4 of Group B in the CAF Champions League group stage.

The Egyptian champions currently lead the group with seven point sitting three point ahead of their closest rivals Young Africans.

Morocco’s AS FAR & Algeria’s JS Kabylie are third and fourth with two point each before meeting in Algeria in the same round.

Emam Ashour punished after travel mistake

Thorup used his press conference on Friday to address the situation involving midfielder Emam Ashour who failed to join the squad traveling to Tanzania.

The coach confirmed that the player made mistake and said punishment was necessary repeating that he has insisted since his first day at the club that no individual is above the team.

Al Ahly handed Ashour fine of 1.5 million Egyptian pound, along with two-week suspension during which he will train separately from the main group.

Thorup added that the sanction is sufficient for now and hopes the matter will not affect the squad’s focus.

Confidence high after strong recent form

The Al Ahly coach also spoke positively about his team’s recent performances.

He believes the players have gained confidence after scoring important goals and producing solid displays in recent matches.

Thorup pointed to first meeting with Young Africans which ended in 2-0 victory in Alexandria on Friday 17 January as example of the team’s quality.

He noted that Al Ahly played well, scored twice and could have added more goals after missing several chances.

Al Ahly aim to stay top

With only a few group matches remaining, Saturday’s game could be decisive in the battle for qualification.