Can Al Ahly request to exempt their players from the friendly against South Africa?

Sports regulations expert Amer Al-Amayra commented on reports regarding Al Ahly FC's desire to request an exemption for their international players from participating in the upcoming friendly match for the Egypt national team against South Africa.

Amer Al-Amayra wrote on his official Facebook page: "It is not the right of any club to request exemption for its players from the friendly match against South Africa on October 4, as it falls within the international calendar. However, it is not the right of clubs to send their players only on the first day of the international calendar."

The current Egypt national team camp includes 6 players from Al Ahly FC: Mostafa Shobair, Marwan Attia, Mohamed Hany, Imam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, and Ali Mahmoud.

Al Ahly FC are looking to rest their international players to avoid fatigue due to the expected fixture congestion after their matches against Angola and South Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers. This coincides with the team's commitments in upcoming domestic and continental competitions.