Football Soccer - Egyptian Premier League Derby - Al Ahly v Zamalek - "Army Stadium" Borg El Arab, Alexandria, Egypt - July 17, 2017 - Mahmoud El Wensh of Zamalek and Saleh Gomaa of Al Ahly in action. (REUTERS)
Zamalek's chairman Mortada Mansour said his players lacked motivation in their league-derby loss against Ahly on Monday, although rookie keeper Omar Salah rescued the Whites from an even harsher defeat.
Two goals from Walid Soliman and Junior Ajayi granted champions Ahly a deserved 2-0 win over Zamalek to maintain an unbeaten run in 34 league games.
"Congratulations to the Ahly fans on winning the league title and also for the victory in the derby," Mansour told ON Sport TV channel after the match.
"I am totally astonished that our players played without any motivation against Ahly. Unlike the Ahly players, who were determined to win to end the league run unbeaten."
Amid the absence of injured first-choice keeper Ahmed El-Shenawi, Zamalek's rookie goalkeeper Omar Salah was the hero against Ahly, proving his worth in his league debut with the senior team.
"Salah is a wonderful goalkeeper. He is a respectable person," Said Mansour.
"He saved his net from seven or eight certain goals. He is a promising star for the future," he added.
Ahly ended the season on 84 points, 10 ahead of second-placed Maqassa. Zamalek secured a CAF Confederation Cup-qualifying third place with 66 points.
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