Imam Ashour’s Comeback Spark: Ahly Rally for a Contested CAF CL Return

Health Update and Return Timeline

In the past hours, positive developments have emerged in Imam Ashour's health condition, the Ahly midfielder, who had recently endured an infection with a virus A that kept him out of training and matches.

Ashour underwent a medical check and a new blood test yesterday morning, showing a significant improvement in the virus level in the blood, which brought relief to the Ahly medical staff. The player posted on his official Instagram account reassuring Red fans: Praise be to God, whether He is pleased or not, praise be to Him after He is pleased... Praise be to God.

A source inside the club told Koora that the latest tests showed the virus level dropping below 100 degrees, which is a positive indicator of the player's response to the treatment protocol he has been under for more than two weeks.

Gradual Return Plan

The source added that Ashour will undergo another test within the next 48 hours, and if the level falls below 50, he will be allowed to change his diet and gradually return to his natural physical condition, after a long period of a strict diet ordered by doctors until the virus is controlled.

The medical and physical program for the player is progressing under the direct supervision of the medical staff. It is expected that in the coming days Ashour will begin a new phase of recovery, starting with a few days of walking before moving to light gym sessions, with loads gradually increasing.

The source noted that the player needs at least ten days of progressive work to recover his physical fitness and muscular strength, which means his exclusion from the coach's plans to participate in the Egyptian Super Cup to be held in the UAE from 6 to 9 November.

He also indicated that Ashour lost part of his muscle due to the strict diet followed during the illness, which requires a special program to restore muscle mass and physical capacity before joining team training.

Ahly vs Eagle Nuar: The Decider

In another context, the Ahly first team will face Eagle Nuar Burundi tonight at Cairo International Stadium, in the second leg of the preliminary round (Round of 32) of the CAF Champions League.

Ahly had decided the first leg in the Burundian capital Bujumbura with a clean goal, scored accidentally by Eagle Nuar defender Nicolas Eraji. The African champions only need a draw to secure qualification to the group stage.

The match carries special significance as the second in Ahly's history against Burundian clubs. The Reds previously met Vital'O in 2000 in the Round of 16 of the same competition, winning in Cairo 3-0 thanks to goals by Mohamed Farouk, Alaa Ibrahim, and Ibrahim Hassan, before losing the return in Burundi 1-2 and advancing on aggregate.

Before tonight's meeting, Ahly had earned a hard-fought 2-1 league win over Al Ittihad in Cairo, lifting their points to 21 atop the table, while Al Ittihad SC stood at 8.

Ahly Squad Against Eagle Nuar

Belgian coach Yves Turub announced the squad that entered a closed camp in preparation for the Eagle Nuar match, including 20 players: Mohamed Siha, Mustafa Shobir, Yassin Mar'i, Omar Kamal Abdel Wahid, Ahmed Ramadan Beckham, Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan, Yasser Ibrahim, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Nites Gradychar, Ahmed Abdal Qader, Mohamed Shokry, Marwan Attia, Ashraf Ben Sharqi, Mohamed Magdi Afsha, Mustafa Al-Ash, Aliou Diang, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Taher Mohamed Taher, Mohamed Hani, Ahmed Nabih Kouka.

On the other hand, the list of absentees included Hamza Alaa for registration issues, Mohamed El Shennawy, Mohamed Abdullah, Ahmed Abideen for technical reasons, in addition to Imam Ashour due to injury, Ahmed Rida, Hussein El Shahat, Mohamed Shreef, Moroccan Ashraf Dari due to injury, and Karim Fouad who is still in the process of regaining fitness after a long injury layoff.

Walid Salah El-Din, the football director, explained the reason for goalkeeper Mohamed El Shennawy's absence from the Eagle Nuar match, noting that the player suffers from severe fatigue and a cold, prompting the coaching staff to give him a rest until he fully recovers and can return in subsequent matches.

Additionally, CAF announced that the group-stage draw for both the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup for the 2025-2026 season would be held on Monday, November 3 in Johannesburg, South Africa, amid broad public anticipation to learn Ahly's path in the tournament.

In summary, Ahly continues to monitor Imam Ashour's health, while preparing for a critical CAF CL clash that could shape their continental campaign. The club also awaits the draw to map out their potential opponents in the group phase.

Punchline 1: If football had health insurance, Ahly would be the poster child of the deductible—always something to come back from. Punchline 2: My fantasy team just asked me to manage a hospital; apparently the ER has better defense than some leagues this season.