Sports critic Mohamed Abu Ali revealed details of what reportedly happened inside Al Ahly’s squad after the team defeated Eastern Company ENPPI in the opening round of the Egyptian Premier League, explaining that several players attempted to secure two consecutive days off before beginning preparations for the upcoming match against ZED. ⚽
Al Ahly made a strong start to their Egyptian Premier League campaign by defeating Eastern Company ENPPI 3-2 at Cairo International Stadium, earning their first three points of the new season.
🔥 Al Ahly Players Asked for Two Days Off
Mohamed Abu Ali explained that several Al Ahly players approached team captain Mohamed El Shenawy and asked him to intervene with head coach Hussein Ammouta in an attempt to secure additional rest.
The sports critic wrote on his official Facebook account that the players wanted Monday’s training session to be held in the morning and Tuesday to be a day off, allowing them to effectively enjoy two consecutive days of rest.
The players appeared to be seeking additional recovery time after their efforts in the opening league match, particularly at the beginning of the season when maintaining physical freshness is important.
📢 Ammouta Rejects the Request
However, Hussein Ammouta reportedly rejected the players’ request and insisted on following a training schedule based on the date of the next match.
Abu Ali quoted Ammouta as saying that there would be no such arrangement and that because Al Ahly have a match on Friday, the players would have Monday off before training on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to prepare for the game.
The reported decision reflects the coach’s desire to maintain a structured training schedule and avoid giving the squad a longer break than planned, especially with another competitive fixture approaching quickly.
🏆 Al Ahly Start the League with a Win
Al Ahly opened their Egyptian Premier League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Eastern Company ENPPI in a competitive match between the two teams.
The victory provided Al Ahly with an important morale boost at the beginning of the season, particularly as the club aims to compete strongly for the league title and establish itself near the top of the table from the opening rounds.
At the same time, the coaching staff understands that the victory does not mean there are no weaknesses to address, making the upcoming training sessions an opportunity to review the performance and correct mistakes before facing ZED.
⚽ Al Ahly Prepare to Face ZED
Al Ahly are preparing to face ZED next Friday, August 28, 2026, in the second round of the Egyptian Premier League.
The match will take place at Cairo International Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM Cairo and Saudi Arabia time.
Al Ahly will be looking to secure their second consecutive victory and maintain their strong start to the league campaign, while the coaching staff will focus on preparing the players in the best possible condition.
The current period is particularly important for the coaching staff, given the busy schedule and the need to balance recovery, training and maintaining the fitness of the entire squad.
🔴 Ammouta Emphasizes Discipline Ahead of ZED
The reported incident, if accurate, highlights Hussein Ammouta’s desire to establish a clear system within the team from the beginning of the season and avoid changing the training schedule according to players’ preferences.
The coach appears to believe that preparing for Friday’s match requires following a specific program, which is why he preferred to give the players one day off before returning to training and preparing for the next fixture.
With the ZED match approaching, attention will turn to whether Al Ahly can maintain their level and secure their second league victory, particularly after their strong attacking display against ENPPI.
Do you agree with Hussein Ammouta’s decision to reject the players’ request and maintain the training schedule, or do you think the team needed additional rest? Share your opinion and prediction for Al Ahly vs ZED. 🔥📢
