Al Ahly's Africa Quest Faces Four Hurdles Before the Burundian Test
5 October 2025
Travel hurdles to Burundi
Al Ahly, Africa’s most decorated club, is scrambling to arrange travel to Burundi for the first leg of the CAF Champions League. There are no direct flights to the country, leaving the team with limited options. One source suggested that the journey could involve a four-hour layover in Addis Ababa or a six-hour layover in Nairobi, turning a simple trip into a small odyssey. A private flight was even discussed as a potential solution, to spare the players from an exhausting travel saga.
Hotel arrangements and containment
On the lodging front, six hotels were considered for the visiting party. Four were deemed mid-range, with only two fitting the needs of the squad. There’s an ongoing push, in coordination with the Egyptian embassy in Burundi, to reserve the best hotel for the full squad. The aim is to secure adequate rooms and create a comfortable base so the players can focus on the match rather than the receptionist’s small talk at reception.
Squad preparation and injuries
The Red Wave faces serious preparation challenges under coach Emad El-Nahas. The team is down more than 23 players due to national team duties and other commitments. Eight players are with the senior national team, while more are with the Olympic and youth setups. In addition, seven players are sidelined by injuries or fitness issues, and Imam Ashour has been diagnosed with a liver-related virus, potentially sidelining him for 10 to 15 days. This leaves the coach with a lean group and a fresh crop of academy players stepping into training to fill the gaps.
To compound matters, several key internationals will depart for duty with their countries during the international window, stressing the squad’s depth even further. The team is forced to adapt quickly and may rely more on upcoming youngsters to bridge the gap in both training and potential match involvement.
Next steps and rest plans
After their recent league victory, coach Emad El-Nahas granted the players a three-day rest ahead of the looming obligations. Training resumes midweek at the iconic Mokhtar El-Tetche Stadium on the island, as the team plots a careful return to match readiness. In addition, there are talks of arranging a friendly with a lower-division side or even a youth team to test players and keep sharpness up during the international window.
Humor aside, the squad will need to keep spirits high while turning travel chaos, hotel headaches, injuries, and schedule disruptions into a concise, winning formula. Because in football, sometimes the difference between a flight delay and a flight of fancy is simply a good sense of humor and a solid game plan.
Punchline 1: If travel were a player, it would be asked to open a window and pretend it’s a breeze—because perseverance is the new offside rule.
Punchline 2: Al Ahly’s hotel hunt could double as a scavenger hunt; the prize? A room with a view and a bed that doesn’t judge your sleep playlist.
