Al Ahly’s Winter Blueprint: Raza Loan, Dari’s Market, and a Four-Target Strategy
25 November 2025
January Transfer Strategy
Al Ahly’s football department has given preliminary approval for Ahmed Raza, the team’s central midfielder, to depart on loan in January to secure regular playing time.
A source told Kooora that the decision followed a meeting between Mahmoud Al-Khatib, the club president overseeing football, and the Danish coach Yis Turup to map out which players might leave during the winter window.
The source added: ‘Turup agreed to loan Ahmed Raza if Aliou Dieng’s contract is renewed and the Malian player stays at the Red Castle, but his departure could alter the plan and Ahmed Raza might remain.’
Additionally, the club approved marketing Moroccan Ashraf Dari, the defender, and is seeking an overseas offer for him; there is also a notion to loan Slovenian Nejc Gradičar if another foreign striker is brought in.
With the Khateeb–Turup session complete, the focus shifts to the details of who might move and who could be retained.
Khateeb held a meeting with Turup in the presence of Said Abdel-Hafiz, board member, Mohammad Youssef, sporting director, and Walid Salahuddin, football director.
The discussions looked at signings Turup wants in January: four players in the forward, left-back, center-back, and midfield roles.
Following the session, Turup visited the youth sector’s venue in Nasr City, where the team will base training during December–January as the club closes its historic stadium for annual maintenance.
The Last Training Before Travel
The first team is set to complete training this evening before flying to Morocco tomorrow morning, preparing to face the Royal Army Rabat in Rabat at 9:00 PM on Friday, in the second group-stage match of the CAF Champions League.
Training tomorrow is expected to be light, and Turup will name the traveling party at 8:00 AM on the charter flight led by board member Tarek Kandil, with Sayed Abdel Hafiz accompanying.
Previously, Eng. Samir Adly, administrative director of football, and Brig. Alaa Salah, the team’s security coordinator, had already left for Rabat to arrange reception, hotel, practice pitch, and accommodation.
Win Over Shabab Kabylie
Al Ahly defeated Shabab Kabylie 4-1 at Cairo Stadium in the opening group match of the CAF Champions League.
The Reds controlled the game entirely with several clear chances, while the crossbar denied Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet a second-half goal.
“We Achieved the Target”
Turup, the Danish coach, said the club achieved its objective by starting the group stage with a win and that the crowd’s energy was evident throughout the night.
He added: “We won fairly and could have scored more; there’s a lot of improvement across the squad, and I’m pleased with the start. We’re one team, and mistakes happen in football—no single player bears the blame. We must keep improving and rely on a strong squad where every player delivered when needed.”
Turup also highlighted Ashraf Ben Cherki’s encouraging form and his growing influence during minutes on the pitch.
A New Caution
The technical staff held another session focusing on the Royal Army Rabat’s approach, with clips shown of their first game against Young Africans.
Turup warned: “AS FAR Rabat will be alert to secure a positive result after their opening loss, which makes the task tougher.”
The coach stressed the importance of securing a good result in the upcoming game to calm nerves ahead of the break, underscoring that the opponent’s strength and coach’s remarks won’t stop Al Ahly from pursuing victory in Morocco.
