Al Ahly Unveils Winter Transfer Blueprint Ahead of UAE Showdown
4 November 2025
Overview
Al Ahly's football department has drawn up a plan to bolster the first team with new signings during the upcoming January transfer window, based on a consensus between the planning committee and the Danish manager Jesper Torup.
In the club's first board meeting, Mahmoud Al-Khatib was named to oversee the football sector, with Sayed Abdelhafiz serving as his deputy.
Also involved in football operations are Mohamed Youssef, the sporting director, and the planning committee chaired by Mokhtar Mokhtar.
January Strategy
The football department has identified four priority positions: centre-back, left-back, defensive midfielder, and striker.
A source told Kooora that there is an agreement to reinforce the center-forward role with two players: one overage and another who can be registered through the under-23s or considered a domestic player.
The addition of a midfielder depends on Aliou Dieng's contract status; if he leaves in January, another midfielder will be pursued.
Officials stress the bigger challenge will not be signing foreigners but clearing out players who have been earmarked for departure.
There is a preliminary plan to part ways with Dieng, Moroccan Ashraf Dari, and the Slovenian striker Nitsch Gardidar.
New Move
Mahmoud Al-Khatib and Sayed Abdelhafiz have agreed to form a committee to market players or work with a designated agent to limit wage losses.
The plan is already in place and will be activated after the Egyptian Super Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
In the first training session in the UAE, several players who had been sidelined rejoined the group.
Training and Adjustments
Imam Ashour, who had been out, participated partially but may not be fit for the match against Ceramica Cleopatra.
Mohamed El Shennawy and other fit players returned to training and will be assessed by medical staff.
The coaching staff focused on technical and physical readiness ahead of the anticipated clash, while training included all available players, including Tunisian midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan who had missed the recent league game.
Torup’s Briefing
Torup held a video briefing with players at the team hotel to review opponents, strengths, and tactical plans.
The Danish coach and his staff have conducted several coordination sessions since arriving in the UAE to finalize the preparation program for the match.
Egyptian Super Cup Context
The Egyptian Super Cup runs from November 6 to 9 in the UAE, featuring four top Egyptian clubs: Al Ahly, Zamalek, Pyramids, and Ceramica Cleopatra, with fans eagerly awaiting a competitive edge and vibrant atmosphere.
The tournament uses a knockout format, with the two semifinals on November 6, the final on November 9, and a third-place match for the losers of the semifinals.
Al Ahly participates as the Egyptian Premier League champions; Zamalek as Egypt Cup winners; Pyramids receive an invite; Ceramica Cleopatra qualified as last season's League Cup champions.
Training Camp and Remarks
Punchlines for a lighter end: Sniper joke 1 — If January signings were as fast as a striker’s sprint, we’d already have a full squad by now. Sniper joke 2 — In football, as in life, sometimes the best transfer is not the one you sign, but the one you wisely postpone to keep the budget intact.
