“Eric Traore contacted us to confirm his stay in Egypt,” Ismail told On Sport radio programme. “He informed us that he needed to spend time alone to rest.”

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder joined Enppi on loan last summer from Pyramids FC.

“We lodged a complaint to the Egyptian Football Association after Traore’s absence to save the club’s rights,” Mohamed Ismail said.

Late on Sunday, Ismail announced that Traore had been absent for nine days, and the team management was in contact with his agent to determine his fate with the Egyptian club.

“The Enppi management decided not to offload any player in the team during the summer transfer window to keep squad stability for the next season,” the Enppi director said.

Traore played 236 games during his journey in Egyptian football, scoring 44 goals and providing 27 assists in all competitions.

He arrived in Egypt in 2015 to play for Aswan FC before joining Maqassa and, eventually, Pyramids FC.

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