Ahly's second goalkeeper, Ahmed Adel Abdel-Menem, got emotional after his team ended the Egyptian Premier League season with a goalless draw Saturday against arch-rivals Zamalek.

"I always play in very hard circumstances and nobody appreciates my efforts," said the keeper to an Egyptian television programme right after the Cairo derby's final whistle.

The 29-year-old goalie tried hard to choke back his tears but failed and left to the locker room and didn't continue the interview.

He was quoted as saying later on the club's official website that he is under Ahly's command. "I respect the technical staff choices. I am ready to participate anytime Ahly needs me and I always play in very hard circumstances and do my best to be responsible and do what is demanded from me," he said.

He has also praised the team for their performance in winning the league trophy with 76 points, seven ahead of holders Zamalek.

Sherif Ekramy, goalkeeper of Egypt's Al Ahly, misses the ball to concede a goal (Reuters)

Meanwhile, the club's football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz backed first keeper Sherif Ekrami.

"Each and every player has his own ups and downs and this is normal. Ekrami was a key factor in clinching the league title and we shouldn't be so hard upon him for making mistakes in two matches," Abdel-Hafiz explained.

Ekrami was facing the music recently after being out of form in two successive important games in the CAF Champions League, costing the record holders of eight championships to lose twice in the beginning of the group stage against Zesco United of Zambia (3-2 away) and Ivory Coast's Asec Mimosa (2-1 at home).

Ahly will next face Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, with the home and away games scheduled for 16 and 27 July.

The team has had no rest amid preparations for the Egypt Cup Round 16 match against Haras El-Hodoud Tuesday.

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