Al-Ahly defender Mohamed Abdel Moneim explained the way he celebrated his team’s first goal against Mazembe in a way that sparked controversy in the past few hours.
Abdel Moneim posted a picture on his Instagram story explaining what happened and the reason for his celebration.
Abdel Moneim said: “Praise be to God for the victory, and we hope that the mission will be completed to please the greatest audience in the universe.”
He added, “The picture that was commented on by those with bad intentions after the match and they interpreted it incorrectly. I suffered a severe bruise below my abdominal muscles and felt a wound and blood coming out automatically, and as a result of my feeling of pain, I behaved in this way.”
He continued, “I did not direct my behavior towards anyone in the stadium, and Ahmed Jaballah, the team doctor, is a witness to everything I say.”
He concluded his statements, “After the match, I underwent x-rays, and Khaled Bibou, the director of football, is aware of that. I have education and it is not right for me to make a mistake in this way.”
Al-Ahly beat Mazembe 3-0 in the second leg of the African Champions League semi-final to qualify for the final.
Al-Ahly will play in the final against Esperance of Tunisia.
