Al Ahly receive injury boost as Emam Ashour returns to training | OneFootball

Ashour returns to Al Ahly training

Photo: Al Ahly

Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC have received a major injury boost with the return of star player Emam Ashour, who has been on the sidelines for a prolonged period due to a long-term injury.

The 27-year-old playmaker sustained a broken collarbone at the revamped 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America (USA). Ashour suffered the injury in the opening 14 minutes of the Red Devils’ curtain raiser against Inter Miami.

Jose Riveiro’s men missed Ashour’s creativity in the heart of the midfield as they fell 2-0 to Brazilian side Palmeiras in their second group A outing, before playing to a thrilling 4-4 draw against Portuguese juggernauts FC Porto in their penultimate match.

Now, the Egyptian international has received the greenlight to return to the grass, with a decision on his inclusion in the matchday squad set to be made by the former Orlando Pirates coach, who is said to be in no rush to integrate the player back into the team in a bid to avoid aggravating the injury.

Last season, Ashour dazzled with 19 goals and nine assists provided in 40 appearances across all competitions, leading to a host of clubs in the Gulf region to lodge enquiries over a possible move away from Ahly.

However, the record 12-time African champions issued a hands-off warning as they are under no pressure to sell their talisman, who is contracted to the club on a deal that will keep him in Cairo until June 2028.

Meanwhile, following their disappointing 2-2 draw against Modern Sport FC in their opening Egyptian Premier League match of the 2025/26 season, Ahly bounced back with a thumping 4-1 win over Pharco FC in their last encounter.

Riveiro and his charges will visit Ghazl Al Mahalla at El Mahalla Stadium in their next match on Monday, 25 August. The reigning Egyptian champions are currently in third place, with four points accumulated thus far.