While Egyptian giants Al Ahly have banned star striker Wessam Abou Ali from their pre-season camp amid a transfer standoff, South African football fans are focused on domestic stars battling for top honours.

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Lucas Ribeiro is among the standout performers of the 2024/25 season and has been nominated for both the Footballer of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards in South Africa.

The Brazil-born attacker, who joined Sundowns from Belgian side Beveren in 2023, was instrumental in the club’s dominance, scoring a memorable goal against Borussia Dortmund at the Club World Cup. Ribeiro’s competition for the awards includes Orlando Pirates’ rising star Relebohile Mofokeng and Sekhukhune United’s Keletso Makgalwa.

The winners will be announced on July 29.

MORE: Mofokeng, Makgalwa, Ribeiro up for Footballer of the Season

Meanwhile, in North Africa, a rift has emerged between Al Ahly and Wessam Abou Ali, one of only two players to score a hat-trick at the 2025 Club World Cup. The Denmark-born Palestine international has reportedly refused medicals and missed training amid efforts to force a transfer away from Cairo.

Al Ahly’s new Spanish coach, Jose Riveiro, formerly of Orlando Pirates, has excluded Abou Ali from the squad for their pre-season camp in Tunisia. Despite his desire to leave, no club has yet met the Red Devils’ $12 million asking price.

ALSO: Barcelona target Rashford as loan deal talks progress

DR Congo

TP Mazembe have won a legal battle at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), forcing the resumption of the DR Congo national league, which had been prematurely ended after 16 rounds. The ruling keeps Mazembe in contention for a CAF Champions League spot.

Sudan

Al Merrikh and Al Hilal remain neck and neck atop the Sudan Elite League play-offs, held in neutral territory due to the ongoing civil war. Merrikh lead Hilal by a single point heading into the final round.

Morocco

Former Wydad Casablanca captain Yahya Jabrane has returned to the club after a season in Kuwait. Jabrane was key to Wydad’s CAF Champions League triumph in 2022, but the club will now compete in the Confederation Cup after finishing third in the Moroccan league.

Chiefs end Dutch tour with Twente defeat

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images