Ahly boss Manuel Jose held talks with Hossam Ghaly on Saturday in a bid to end a dispute that saw the team’s captain fall down the pecking order lately.

Ghaly, who came through Ahly’s youth ranks before being promoted to the first team by Jose in his first stint with the Red Devils in the early 2000s, was left out of the team’s African Champions League clash against Stade Malien last month.

Ahly, the record winners of Africa’s premier club competition with six titles under their belt, lost 1-0 in Mali in the round of 16 first leg. They will have to overturn that deficit in Cairo on Monday if they are to reach the eight-team group stage.

The Cairo giants declined comment on the Ghaly-Jose row, but reports said the former Tottenham Hotspur man was punished because he disobeyed the coach’s instructions during a training session.

Reports even said Jose contemplated stripping Ghaly of Ahly’s captaincy.

Saturday’s meeting may have eased tensions between the men, but Ghaly is highly unlikely to take part in Monday’s clash at home to Stade Malien.

The 30-year-old is one of Ahly’s most influential players, given his versatility. He can play as a central midfielder, central defender and sweeper in Jose’s favourite 3-5-2 formation.

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