Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry has expressed his surprise and sadness over the sudden departure of Ivorian striker Souleymane Coulibaly, who left without permission from the team's technical staff and without giving a convincing reason.
Coulibaly missed Ahly's training session on Thursday, leaving only a message saying he had flown to London for private reasons, as revealed by football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz.
"I am shocked at Coulibaly's situation; really I am very shocked," El-Badry said.
"Coulibaly has been supported during his short stay with team; we deal with him in a good way and we gave him a chance to play and to introduce himself to the fans.
"Ahly players always support Coulibaly and they were happy when he scored, as was I," El-badry said.
"We supported Coulibaly when he wasted multiple score chances against Sharqeya and Cotonsport; we always support him.
"I hope it was an emergency case that forced Coulibaly to travel; I hope he will return," El-Badry added.
"We won't be affected by Coulibaly's leave as Ahly wasn't, and wouldn't be, dependant on one player," the coach said.
The 22-year-old Coulibaly, who joined Ahly last winter on a three-and-a-half year deal, scored six league goals after marking his league debut against Dakhleya with a double in early April.
Egyptian Premier League title holders Ahly are preparing for Monday's league decider against second-placed Maqassa. The Red Devils only need a draw to formally win the title.
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