In mid-October, the 32-year-old veteran goalie sustained a hamstring injury while participating with Egypt's national team game against Libya in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with the club announcing that the player will be out for a month at the very least.

“El-Shennawi is recovering nicely and has completed 50 percent of his [rehabilitation] programme, and we hope that he will be ready for action by the start of next month,” Abdel-Hafiz told a television programme.

“The player is working hard… and is eager to make a comeback quickly, and we hope that he will be joining our training sessions on 1 or 2 November,” the football director added.

Ahly had to make do without the veteran goalkeeper during the two games against Niger’s Union Sportive de la Gendarmerie Nationale (USGN) in the CAF Champions League.

African Champions League title holders Ahly qualified for the continental tournament’s group stage after claiming a 7-2 on aggregate victory over USGN.

The Red Devils will have to continue to power through the start of the Egyptian Premier League new season against Ismaily on Wednesday without their prized goalkeeper.

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