Where is Souleymane Coulibaly?
Coulibaly missed Ahly’s training session on Thursday, leaving only a message saying he had flown to London for private reasons, as revealed by football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz.
Souleymane Coulibaly’s representative denied that the Al Ahly striker is in talks to join another club, stressing that the Ivorian player travelled for a “ family emergency”.
Several news reports claimed that Coulibaly might be discussing an offer in England. However, Dan Chapman, sports lawyer and senior partner at Full Contact – the agency that represents Coulibaly – denied that the Ivorian player is intending to leave Al Ahly.
“Souleymane Coulibaly is not in England to discuss a transfer as has been reported! He’s got a family emergency to deal with,” Chapman said on his Twitter account.
Souleymane Coulibaly is not in England to discuss a transfer as has been reported! He's got a family emergency to deal with.
— Dan Chapman (@DanFullContact) May 26, 2017
“We and our Egyptian colleagues are working to help and Souley fully respects his Al Ahly contract. Some of the speculation is not helpful.”
We and our Egyptian colleagues are working to help and Souley fully respects his Al Ahly contract. Some of the speculation is not helpful.
— Dan Chapman (@DanFullContact) May 26, 2017
“I am shocked at Coulibaly’s situation; really I am very shocked,” Al Ahly coach El-Badry said.
“Coulibaly has been supported during his short stay with team; we deal with him in a good way and we gave him a chance to play and to introduce himself to the fans.
“Ahly players always support Coulibaly and they were happy when he scored, as was I,” El-badry said.
“We supported Coulibaly when he wasted multiple score chances against Sharqeya and Cotonsport; we always support him.
“I hope it was an emergency case that forced Coulibaly to travel; I hope he will return,” El-Badry added.
“We won’t be affected by Coulibaly’s leave as Ahly wasn’t, and wouldn’t be, dependant on one player,” the coach said.
The 22-year-old Coulibaly, who joined Ahly last winter on a three-and-a-half year deal, scored six league goals after marking his league debut against Dakhleya with a double in early April.
Egyptian Premier League title holders Ahly are preparing for Monday’s league decider against second-placed Maqassa. The Red Devils only need a draw to formally win the title.
Coulibaly didn’t play well on his last game in the CAF Champions League, maybe something was on his mind.
