Sports
Al Ahly to rest key players in League Cup opener against Petroleum Assiut
October 6, 2026 at 10:29 AM · Updated 10d ago
Coverage
15 reports · over 21 hours
Al Ahly, under Hussein Ammouta, faces Petroleum Assiut in the League Cup opener Wednesday, resting starters for Sunday's Zamalek derby.
- Al Ahly faces Petroleum Assiut Wednesday at 5pm Cairo time at Al Salam Stadium in the League Cup's first round.
- Ammouta will manage the match, fielding backup and youth players while resting regulars for the Zamalek clash.
- Wael Gomaa announced international players rejoined first-team training Tuesday.
- Ammouta held a 20-minute meeting with Omar El-Saai, promising him playing time starting with the Petroleum Assiut match.
- Ammouta named a 20-man squad with internationals largely rested, though it includes Ali Mahmoud, Mohamed El-Shenawy, Ashraf Bencharki and Ashraf Dari.
- Ahmed Nabil Koka rejoined group training after recovering from a hamstring strain and is available for the match.
- Al Ahly dismissed rumors Ammouta is unhappy with several players as unfounded and ill-timed before the Zamalek derby.
- The refereeing committee appointed Mohamed El-Etbany to officiate the match, with Oday Eid and Hamed El-Shahat as assistants.
- Al Ahly hold a dominant head-to-head record over Petroleum Assiut, with five wins, one draw and one loss in seven meetings.
- ON Sport, the tournament's exclusive broadcaster, will air the match live from Al Salam Stadium.
- Ammouta is considering starting Mohamed El-Shenawy in goal to rest Mostafa Shobeir.
- A separate report said Ammouta decided to start Hamza Alaa, his first appearance of the season.














