Zamalek coach Jesualdo Ferreira has hailed Monday's victory over stiff opponents Ismaily, insisting that his team is edging closer to the Egyptian league title.

Zamalek bounced back from last week's surprise 2-1 defeat to Maqassa to take a huge stride towards their first league title since 2004 after battering Ismaily 3-0 at Petrosport Stadium on Monday.

"It is a very important win especially as it was a crucial match for us," Ferreira said in the press conference after the match.

"We played against a strong and respectable team and we managed to score two early goals to end the game early.

"We suffered from fatigue in the second half and that allowed them to shine but finally we scored the third to ensure our victory," the former Porto and Benfica coach added.

Zamalek now have 80 points and are on top of the league table and just need four points from their upcoming four games to win their 12th domestic league title. 

"We lost five points recently that were enough to ensure us as the league heroes. Our main target now is to clinch the needed four points to win the title," the 69-year old coach said.

It was an exceptional display from the Nigerian striker Maarouf Yussuf, who was unexpectedly included in the starting XI against Ismaily, having created his side's second goal before making sure of victory himself after the break.

"I have confidence in Maarouf. He is a good player and his outstanding performance today was a good thing," concluded the Whites coach.

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