Ahly have officially declined an offer to play a friendly game against Spain La Liga giants Atletico Madrid next January due to their international players' participation with Egypt's national team in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Al-Ahram Sports reported on Thursday. A sports' marketing company offered to organise a friendly game between the Egyptian Premier League title holders and Atletico Madrid during the winter break but Ahly's technical staff refused the offer as the first team squad will witness the absence of the key players. Egypt will take part in the continental tournament that kicks off on 14 January until 5 February in Gabon with the participation of 16 teams from one confederation. Six of Ahly's key-players -- Sherif Ekramy, Ahlmed Fathi, Ahmed Hegazy, Moemen Zakareya , Abdallah El-Said and Walid Soliman -- were part of Egypt's squad during the crucial 2-0 win over Ghana in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers last week and they are expected to be called-up again when the Pharaohs start preparations for the 2017 Africa Cup of nations. The title record holders Ahly are second in the Egyptian Premier League table with 20 points while Atletico Madrid are 4th in the La Liga table with 21 points. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
