Ahly are on a break for two days ahead of a domestic Cairo derby in mid October, as they painfully said goodbye to their African Confederation Cup title
Ahly coach Fathi Mabrouk has expressed his sorrow over disqualifying in the African Confederation Cup final, losing to South Africa's Orlando Pirates 5-3 on aggregate.
"I am so sad the game went that way. I never expected this result," Mabrouk stated on the club's official website.
The title holders lost 1-0 away and needed a two-goal difference win at home Sunday, but they lost with 4-3.
"Of course there was no balance in the performance between defense and attack and the Orlando Pirates were powerful, tough, and were able to surprise us," the 64-year-old tactician added.
The Cairo-based club, which failed to win a major tournament this season for the first time since 2004, is expected to announce revolutionary decisions soon that will lead to big changes in the team and its technical staff.
Youth sector coach Abdel-Aziz Abdel-Shafi is reportedly in ongoing negotiations with the board to take the lead of the first team until they reveal Mabrouk's successor.
Mabrouk started his current spell as Ahly caretaker coach in May, succeeding Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido after a poor run.
The team are taking a break until Wednesday when they will kickoff training for the new season. The season starts 15 October with the Super Cup clash against the arch-rivals who won the Egyptian Premier League and Egypt Cup.
The Confederation Cup final will be held late Monday between the South Africans and Tunisia's Etoile du Sahel, who defeated Zamalek 5-4 on aggregate.
Read Ahly v Orlando Pirates full match reviewhere
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