Reds defender Abdel Moneim, who picked up a muscular injury in the Egyptian Premier League game against Ceramica Cleopatra, has begun participating in trainings in Cairo and will be preparing with the team ahead of the second leg African Champions League semi-final against ES Setif scheduled for next Saturday in Algeria, according to Abu Abla.

He also revealed that midfielder El-Sulaya has a chance to play in the ES Steif match, as his status will be evaluated continuously during his rehabilitation programme.

“El-Sulaya complained of pain in his hamstring muscle, and there was a fear of pushing him in the first leg against ES Steif, especially since the results of the X-rays he underwent before the match were not reassuring, so we didn’t want to risk it,” Abu Abla told Ahly’s official website.

He also reassured fans regarding the medical condition of Moroccan defender Badr Benoun, who has been absent since January after suffering from inflammation in the heart muscle following a coronavirus infection.

“Benoun has fully recovered from the inflammation after being infected with the coronavirus; the player underwent a permanent examination on the heart for three days, and the results were very good,” said the doctor.

“Badr has been undergoing gradual physical training over the past three weeks, and within a short period, he will be with the team. He has been participating in partially in trainings with the football team after conducting the necessary tests to ensure that he remains fit,” he concluded.

The African champions for two times in row are hoping to clinch a third straight title after crushing Setif 4-0 at home in the semi-final, and will face the winner of the other semi, which is between Angola’s Petro Atletico and Morocco’s Wydad Athletic, which won the first leg 3-1.