Ahly striker Malick Evouna will be sidelined for three weeks after injuring his ankle during Monday's 3-2 league loss to Masry, the Cairo-based club announced.

"Evouna has twisted his ankle against Masry and won't be available for 3 weeks," Ahly's football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz told reporters after the match.

Evouna's injury occurred shortly before the half Monday and was replaced on the pitch by John Antwi.

The former Wydad Casablanca man joined Ahly in the summer to much fanfare, as the Red Devils completed the most expensive transfer in the history of Egyptian football, reportedly paying $2.5 million to acquire Evouna's services.

The absence of Evouna, who has scored 12 league goals so far, will add woes for Ahly as the league leaders are already missing key members Ahmed Hegazy, Amr Gamal and Abdallah El-Said due to injuries.

Ahly is currently preparing for their opening match against Zambian club Zesco in the group stage of the CAF Champions League on Saturday.

Monday's defeat blew the title race wide open as the Reds, who lead the league table with 71 points, drop to only five ahead of second-placed reigning champions Zamalek with three regular season matches remaining.

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