Al Ahly Suffer a Heavy Blow as Shahat Faces Months on the Sidelines

Injury Shock Hits Al Ahly

Al Ahly have been hit by a fresh heavy setback as right winger Hussein Shahat is ruled out for up to two months following a severe muscular injury sustained during the Ismailia derby in the 10th round of the Egyptian Premier League.

Club doctor Ahmed Gaballah said in official remarks that Shahat suffered a strong muscular injury, noting that the player is dealing with a tear in the hamstring tendon and has undergone medical tests and scans confirming a treatment and rehabilitation period of no less than seven weeks.

Gaballah added that the player has begun following the prescribed therapeutic protocol under medical staff supervision, hopeful to return to training before year end if all goes to plan.

In the same vein, a source inside the red fortress told KOOORA that the absence could extend to two full months depending on his response to treatment, a heavy blow to a coaching staff already suffering from a numerical shortage due to rising muscular injuries.

Club Response and Future Plans

Anger inside the club rose as Shahat's injury came amid a run of recurrent injuries that have struck the team in recent weeks.

The Reds were forced to field the Cairo derby against Zamalek with seven players missing, including Mohammed Shukri, Ashraf Dari, Karim Fouad, Ahmed Zizo, Mohammed Magdi Afsha, Geniy Gardiar, and Imam Ashour who contracted a virus A.

Some voices inside the club say the medical staff and nutritionist bear responsibility for the pattern, given that most injuries are muscular and questions are raised about load management and nutritional rehabilitation for players.

The absentee list did not end there; Al Ahly also missed Mohammed Shukri, Karim Fouad, Ashraf Dari, Ahmed Reda, and Geniy Gardiar in the recent Ismailia clash. Earlier absences included Omar Kamal Abdel Wahid, Ahmed Nabil Coca, Mohammed Ali Ben Ramadan, Taher Mohamed Taher, Yasser Ibrahim, and Yassin Mar'i due to recurring muscular injuries.

Update on return dates shows that scans for Hussein Shahat will guide the exact timeline, with Mohammed Shukri needing about a week to rejoin group training, and Karim Fouad following a similar schedule. Ahmed Reda will undergo a new exam and MRI to assess knee injury and determine return date. Dari remains a puzzle, with recurring injuries tied to a pelvic region issue, according to recent tests. The club also hints at a potential strategic move in the January window as Dari may depart to make way for an international player who can contribute regularly.

Intrigue Within the Club

The club is weighing a broader shakeup, as Dari’s situation prompts a reevaluation of medical and training protocols. Internal discussions have touched on restructuring the medical staff and bringing in external expertise, including a nutritionist and a foreign conditioning coach, to work alongside the new head coach and ensure tighter monitoring of players’ physical status.

As part of the broader plan, the club is also considering bringing in an international medical expert with experience with major European teams. Several names have been floated, but talks continue amid financial constraints related to foreign currency exchange.

Despite these challenges, some officials insist that hiring an international medical consultant is a must to protect investments in players and prevent further injury setbacks, arguing that the medical side deserves priority alongside any transfer activity.

Officially, the club announced the appointment of Danish coach Yas Sorup as head coach for two and a half years. Osama Helal, the director of contracts and scouting, finalized all administrative and financial details after consultations with club president Mahmoud Al Khatib, the planning committee, the sporting director, and the football director. The aim is to usher in a steadier era for the team on both the technical and physical fronts after a troubled season so far.

With Sorup on board, Al Ahly hopes to stabilize the squad and refocus on competitive performance through a strengthened medical and conditioning backbone that can withstand the rigors of a demanding schedule.

Punchline 1: If injuries were a transfer market, Shahat would be a free agent by now—any club would snap him up for patience and rehab time, not cash.

Punchline 2: The medical staff could probably fix the calendar before the players get back in shape—the bench is busier than a coffee shop during finals week, and the ball hasn’t learned to dribble on its own yet.