Al Ahly president Mahmoud El-Khatib has backed his club’s players and technical team over the criticism they have received after losing the CAF Champions League final.
‘Captain Bibo’ took their reins of Al Ahly into his own hands during a 90-minute press conference, where he explained the club’s stance over the CAF Champions League final being hosted in Morocco at the Stade Mohamed V, Wydad Athletic Club’s home ground.
Many expected that Khatib might also address the recent rumours about coach Pitso Mosimane’s future but the coach’s name was not mentioned once during the presser.
However, Khatib sent a message to the club’s fans and asked them to continue to back the club’s coaches, overall technical team and players amid the recent criticism.
“To the Al Ahly fans: We appreciate your sad feelings for losing the Champions League final,” he said during his press conference.
“After seven years absence [in the CAFCL final], and when Al Ahly fail at something, we close the doors and work.
“We act, we don’t speak a lot. That’s why we deserved our presence in the recent CAF Champions League finals.
“We’ve been there five times over the last six years, it didn’t happen to any other club. We shouldn’t be hard on our players and our coaches and the whole technical team.
“They worked hard, all of them have put in a hard effort and they achieved a lot of wins in the competition over the last period.
“The most important thing is to learn the lessons from defeat .
“My final words to our great fans, remember there are others who do not like the success of our club, don’t forget there are others who are not happy about our success.
“But your club needs you and needs you support. We have great challenges and you are our support in all those situation. Al Ahly fans are the protectors of Al Ahly.”
Al Ahly return to action on Sunday when they will face Al Masry Salloum in the Egyptian Cup.
The Club of Century are yet to give a further statement on Mosimane after they had announced the club will meet with their coach in a second meeting once he returns to Egypt following his CAF Pro License course in Morocco.
Story by David Kappel.
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