Ahly has suffered a major blow as forward Mahmoud “Kahraba” Abdel-Moneim has tested positive for COVID-19, just a week before the anticipated African Champions League final against arch-rivals Zamalek set for 27 November. Ahly football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz announced on Thursday that Kahraba's swab came positive, and he will undergo a new PCR test on Saturday. “We have informed Kahraba to isolate himself at home, and he has already started,” Abdel-Hafiz told local media. Kahraba's absence adds more woes for coach Pitso Mosimane ahead of the derby, leaving him with limited choices in the front lines. Ahly have been already left short of firepower up front since the sudden departure of talented winger Ramadan Sobhi who has joined Pyramids FC. With Walid Soliman past his prime as he is turning 36 in December, and Hussein El-Shahat struggling to recover his form following a lengthy injury, Kahraba is a key option in the final third. The 26-year-old forward participated with Ahly in 21 games in all competitions, scoring five goals and providing 4 assists since he joined the team in January 2020. Ahly are scheduled to face Abou Qir Fertilizers SC on Saturday in the Egypt Cup quarter final before facing Zamalek on 27 November at Cairo Stadium. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
