Ahly coach Manuel Jose states he’s looking forward to seeing his team play Zamalek and Ismaily in Egyptian Premier League after a breakthrough victory in the domestic league – the first since games resumed last January.  

The Egyptian League holders have defeated Ittihad El-Shorta 2-1 on Wednesday in their first match following a lengthy stoppage due to January’s revolution.

“I hope to defeat Zamalek and Ismaily to snatch the top of the league ranking” Jose said during the press conference of Wednesday’s 2-1 win over El-Shorta.

“We will watch Zamalek and Haras El-Hodoud game because the result will back our players to snatch the lead of the league” the Portuguese added.

Zamalek are set to face Haras El-Hodoud on Thursday with the first official appearance for the Whites’ striker Ahmed Hossam “Mido” who made brilliant impacts in the team’s friendlies during the league suspension.  

The 65 year-old returned Da Silva’s substitution by veteran midfielder Mohamed Barakat due to the Mauritanian’s bad luck during the first halftime and to inject much-needed pace into the team.

“I replaced Da Silva with Barakat at the beginning of the second halftime because he was having bad luck” the Ahly tactician said.

The Portuguese technical manger confirmed that Abou-Trieka’s age is the main reason for his dip in form in the previous games.

“There is a big difference between the player’s performance at age 25 and 32...I am asking Ahly’s supporters not to hurt the players by speaking about their age” Manuel Jose concluded the match’s press conference.

Ahly are in the third place of the Egyptian Premier League table with 29 points, three points behind the league leaders Zamalek, who will host Haras El-Hodoud on Thursday.