Al Ahly are considering formally petitioning the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) to exempt their international players from the friendly match against South Africa on October 4, following the decision to allow Mohamed Salah to leave the national team camp after the 0–0 draw against Angola and skip the trip to face South Sudan.
Al Ahly seek to recall their players ahead of the Cairo Derby against Zamalek, scheduled immediately following the international break, aiming to protect them from fatigue and potential injury in an unofficial friendly match.
The national team camp currently features six Al Ahly players: Mostafa Shobier, Mohamed Hany, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Ahmed Mostafa “Zizo”, and Ali Mahmoud. Granting Al Ahly’s request would deal a major blow to head coach Hossam Hassan’s preparation plans for the South Africa fixture.
Salah Exemption Opens Door for Domestic Clubs
Al Ahly have based their stance on the technical staff’s agreement to rest Salah, arguing that player protection standards should equally extend to domestic club members ahead of the upcoming derby.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Zamalek may consider a similar step to safeguard their squad, though neither the club’s board nor the EFA has issued an official statement confirming a formal request.
The petition strictly applies to the South Africa friendly and does not affect the official AFCON 2027 qualifier against South Sudan. Al Ahly and Zamalek players are expected to travel to Juba unless new administrative or medical directives emerge.
Hossam Hassan had originally intended to field a full-strength lineup for the South Africa friendly, but Salah’s early departure provides Al Ahly with leverage to request parity, particularly given the congested fixture schedule.
This development adds to the pressure facing Hassan following the draw with Angola, his public friction with Al Ahly over comments regarding goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, and ongoing debate surrounding Salah’s early exit.
Should the EFA approve exemptions for both Cairo giants, the national team could face South Africa with a severely depleted squad, compromising Hassan’s authority within the camp.
