Al Ahly assistant coach Wael Gomaa has revealed the reason behind midfielder Imam Ashour's absence from the team's first match of the new Egyptian Premier League season against Eastern Company, according to a report from Yalla Kora.
Gomaa spoke exclusively to Yalla Kora after the match, which took place on Saturday, August 22, 2026. He explained the circumstances that led to Ashour being left out of the squad for the season opener, though the specific details of his explanation were not fully detailed in the initial report.
Ashour's absence had been noted earlier when Al Ahly announced their squad list for the match, with the midfielder notably missing from the lineup. The decision sparked discussion among pundits and fans ahead of the game.
Former Al Ahly player Mohamed Abdel Jalil criticized Ashour in comments reported by Youm7, comparing him to a player named Bizera and stating that "Al Ahly is bigger than him." Meanwhile, former striker Yasser Rayan told Sada El Balad that Ashour's absence would have an impact on Al Ahly's performance against Eastern Company, and he also suggested that Mohamed El Shenawy was the most likely candidate to start in goal.
The match marked Al Ahly's first competitive fixture of the 2026-27 league campaign. With Ashour unavailable, the coaching staff had to adjust their midfield plans for the opening game.
Observers will be watching to see whether Ashour returns to the squad for Al Ahly's next league fixture and how the team responds to the early-season questions about squad selection.
