Osama Hosny criticizes Imam Ashour over his latest crisis with Al Ahly

Former Al Ahly star Osama Hosny criticized Imam Ashour over the crisis that recently kept him out of action, saying the club’s stature and history are greater than any player’s abilities, however talented or influential on the pitch.

Speaking on the Al La’eeb program on MBC Masr, Hosny said Ashour has outstanding technical ability, and that his years with Al Ahly and the Egypt national team reflect his footballing value. But he stressed that the club’s future does not depend on any one player, and that fans’ regard for players can be affected by actions that do not fit Al Ahly’s character and history.

Hosny said Ashour’s failure to travel with the team squad had damaged his image among Al Ahly fans. He said a supporter might accept a drop in form or missed chances, but is less likely to overlook matters of commitment, belonging and respect for the club’s shirt.

On the player’s absence from recent matches, Hosny said Al Ahly had announced that Ashour was training regularly and was not injured, and that his exclusion was a technical decision. He added that Ashour had not delivered the expected performance against Zamalek and had not shown his usual form against Al Qanah. Hosny said the drop in his level was one factor that explained his absence from the team, while noting that he was awaiting a return to form and a place in the squad.