Ahli goalkeeper Sherif Ekrami is confirmed out of the Cairo derby, the Egyptian champions said on Thursday. Ahmed Adel, second-choice goalie, could be ready for the Zamalek clash scheduled for the New Year's Eve. Both players underwent surgeries on Wednesday and Ahli said on their website that Ekrami needs two months of rest while Adel will resume training in three weeks. Ahli now have only one fit keeper in Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud, who only had his second start this season in the 3-1 defeat against Ismaili. Aboul-Saoud was a member of the Egyptian squad that won the African Cup of Nations in February but didn't play in Angola.
Ashour: A key man for Ahli He joined Ahli from Mansoura last summer. Duo to miss Smouha trip Meanwhile, midfield duo Hossam Ashour and Shehab Ahmed are almost set to miss the trip to Smouha on December 2nd. Ahli said that the duo, who are both struggling with ankle problems, need ten days to resume full training. Ahli's midfield has been hardly impressive in the recent defeat at Ismaili, with Hossam Ghaly and Moataz Eno at the center.
