No Nostalgia, Just Now: Ashour Poised to Shine as Ahly Open CAF CL Campaign

Ahead of the Cairo showdown

The Danish coach Ys Thorup, in charge of Al Ahly, says his team enters the CAF Champions League opener in high spirits after lifting the Egyptian Super Cup and welcoming back key players from international duty. He framed the match against JS Kabylie as a fresh phase in their continental campaign and noted the squad’s thorough preparation for this new test.

Speaking at the press conference in Cairo, Thorup stressed that the club always seeks victory, especially on home soil, and he called on the legendary Ahly fans to back the team as they chase another continental trophy.

Focus on fans and young talents

Thorup highlighted how the atmosphere in the stands provides extra motivation and helps players perform at their best. He pointed out that Imam Ashour trained well and that the timing remains crucial when integrating promising youngsters into the rotation.

He also spoke about youth development, mentioning Hamza Abdel Karim as a talented prospect who trained with the first team recently, underscoring that talents must demonstrate their worth to both the squad and the supporters.

Beyond the individuals, the coach emphasized the need to improve the team’s collective performance and to be ready for all scenarios, noting that some opponents prefer a defensive approach and that the plan is to create chances with sustained pressure and intelligent movement.

Reflecting on the period after the Super Cup and the international windows, Thorup said the team reviewed what was done but chose not to dwell on the past, focusing instead on upcoming fixtures.

Mohamed El Shenawy, the captain and goalkeeper, then added that Ahly is focused on winning the CAF Champions League and that the group stage opener against JS Kabylie is a key step in their campaign.

He noted the squad is balanced and must be ready to face any rival, with each game treated as a separate challenge and a commitment to attention to detail in training and preparation.

On the medical side, the club’s medical staff confirmed several players are back to full fitness: Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Ahmed Zizo, Imam Ashour, and Ashraf Dari have recovered. Hussein El Shahat is in conditioning work as part of rehabilitation, while Zizo has fully recovered from knee issues and Dari is gradually rejoining group drills. Trezeguet’s return from a hamstring issue in the Super Cup final and Mohamed Abdel Allah’s ongoing rehabilitation after a ligament injury were also noted.

With this level of readiness, Ahly appears close to full strength, giving the coach ample options to name a strong lineup for the Shabab Kabylie match and to begin the CAF Champions League on a confident note.

And now for a couple of light, sniper-style punchlines to wrap things up: If Ahly’s shots were currency, the goalkeeper would be filing a tax return for all the money netted. And remember, the bench isn’t just furniture—it's where future stars get bench-pressed into success (with heavy-duty talent, of course).