Al-Badri will be away for until the next half of April after Ahli’s Champions League tie with Tusker of Kenya, citing family reasons behind his urgent visit to Canada.

The former Egypt international insisted that his two-week leave has nothing to do with his future at the club as he now plays down the significance of his expected absence.

“I will follow the way by which Vilanova used to manage Barcelona during his absence (due to illness),” Al-Badri told reporters.

“I will be watching the game on TV and at the same time I shall be in touch with my staff on the phone.

“My absence could be extended until the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, should we qualify.”

Ahli are favorites to overcome Tusker next Sunday as the winner meets either Dynamos of Zimbabwe or Tunisia’s CA Bizertin, who seem closer to qualify after winning the first leg 3-0.

Al-Badri will accordingly miss the last 16 game, as well as a league fixture against Ghazl Mahalla this month.