After three straight starts for منتخب مصر, إمام عاشور reported fatigue. الأهلي is weighing a bench role or limited minutes against Kitara to reduce muscle-injury risk.
The midfielder's workload had become a concern before the derby began. Egyptian sports reports say إمام عاشور started three consecutive international matches for منتخب مصر. Angola was one opponent; the others were South Sudan and South Africa. Back at his club, الأهلي is considering whether to keep him on the bench or limit his minutes.
Led by الحسين عموتة, the coaching staff is weighing those options to protect عاشور and lower the risk of a muscle injury. Reports described muscle fatigue before the derby, not a diagnosed injury. Neither selection plan is final.
Workload behind the concern
عاشور complained of fatigue in the period before the derby. الأهلي's staff linked his subdued performance to the workload after the international break, including three consecutive starts for Egypt. Mobtada reported the account, citing an unnamed club source.
After the derby, head coach الحسين عموتة defended عاشور's quality. He said the midfielder could change the result even if he did not start well, and expected him to perform better in subsequent matches, Al Watan reported.
Selection still under consideration
For the next match against Uganda's Kitara, one option under discussion was to start عاشور among the substitutes. The alternative was to use him for only part of the game. Reports said the decision would depend on his condition in training and a pre-match assessment. Either approach would mean less playing time than a full start, but the coaching staff had not confirmed its choice.
A linked Dubai film report concerns a separate subject. الأهلي's selection question centers on the fatigue reported after عاشور's international workload. The staff's stated priority is to avoid exposing him to a muscle injury.
