Rumor Clock Is Ticking: Will Kahraba Return to Al Ahly in the Winter Window?

Update on Kahraba's Status

A trusted source within Al Ahly’s football administration confirms that Mahmoud Abdelmonem Kahraba, the club’s former forward now with Kuwait’s Al Qadsia, is not among the winter transfer options being considered.

The source told KOOORA that Kahraba is one of the club’s own sons with a long history and multiple titles, but he is not in the current technical plans to return to the Reds.

Kuwaiti press reports have indicated that Al Qadsia intends to terminate Kahraba’s contract in the upcoming winter window due to a noticeable decline in form.

The source added that the team is exploring options that do not include Kahraba; therefore, he remains completely out of the picture.

He said: "Club officials could help Kahraba market himself by seeking a move elsewhere because of his history with the club, but he will not return to the first team at all."

Kahraba’s career in Egyptian football spans many chapters: born in 1994, he rose through Al Ahly’s youth system, moved to Enppi, was loaned to Luzern and Grasshopper in Switzerland, then headed to Zamalek, then to Ittihad Jeddah, returned to Zamalek, moved to Aves in Portugal, and later had spells with Al Ahly again and on loan to Ittihad Tripoli before a transfer to Al Qadsia in Kuwait.

In short, his name remains a topic of ongoing chatter, but the club’s technical staff currently sees other options for the winter window.

Team News, Training, and Group Draw

On the training front, Moroccan duo Ashraf Dari and Yassin Merai have begun gradual participation in first-team training sessions after a period away, signaling a cautious but positive return to full fitness.

The team resumed training after a five-day rest period granted by Danish coach Yees Turub following the Egyptian Super Cup triumph in the UAE.

According to a source, Dari underwent a thorough medical examination after recovering from a groin injury and a sports hernia; the medical staff gave him the green light for a phased return to play.

Merai is expected to join full team drills starting tomorrow, with the coaching staff monitoring his load and progression.

Ahmed Ragha and Imam Ashour have trained in full since yesterday, and the coaching staff will decide their participation in upcoming matches accordingly.

The club also posted a photo of Zizo after his move to Al Ahly, highlighting the ongoing narratives around squad depth and player availability.

Inside the squad, Ahmed Mustafa Zizou is set to undergo a medical assessment upon returning from national duty to determine his status for the clash with Shabab Chebab (Algeria). Mahmoud Trezeguet is dealing with a hamstring strain, leaving his presence in the upcoming tie against the Moroccan side uncertain, though he could be fit for a different fixture if recovery allows.

Under Turub, the team has mapped a training plan ahead of the Shabab Chaabi encounter, with sessions scheduled to sharpen tactical setups for the Cairo Stadium showdown in the CAF Champions League group stage opener.

Players who were away on international duty or abroad are expected to rejoin the squad progressively as the schedule tightens. The technical staff will decide participation on a match-by-match basis after assessing form and fitness levels.

Tarik Qandil, appointed by the board as head of the first-team delegation for the trip to Morocco, will oversee logistical arrangements and ensure players’ comfort throughout the trip to face the King’s Army in the second group game scheduled for late November.

The CAF Champions League draw placed Al Ahly in Group B with Young Africans (Tanzania), Shabab Chaabi (Algeria), and AS FAR Rabat (Morocco). Group A features a different constellation, while Groups C and D include other notable clubs from Africa. Al Ahly opens Group B action on November 22 against Shabab Chaabi in Cairo, followed by a clash with AS FAR Rabat on November 28.

In short, the group-stage slate is set, travel plans are underway, and the talk of Kahraba’s return remains a matter for the future rather than the present—proof that in football, the rumor mill always runs before the players do.

Punchline time: If transfer rumors were a sport, Kahraba would have a gold medal by now—but someone forgot to register the paperwork. Punchline two: winter windows are like dating apps for footballers—lots of swiping, few matches, and somehow we still end up with FOMO.”