After beating Tunisian side Esperance in the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, Ahly coach Fathi Mabrouk revealed that he is eager to stay with the team beyond the current campaign.

Ahly opened the defence of their Confederation Cup crown with a convincing 3-0 home victory over Tunisia's Esperance in the first matchday of Group A on Sunday.

In form midfielder Abdallah El-Saied opened the scoring in the 20th minute before completing his brace 12 minutes after the interval. Substitute Moemen Zakareya put the icing on the cake in the dying minutes.

"I hope to be informed that I will stay with Ahly for another two years," Mabrouk told a television programme after the game.

The Red Devils maintained their fine run under coach Fathi Mabrouk, who took over following the sacking of Spaniard Juan Garrido in May, as they secured their ninth win out of twelve matches under the helm of the caretaker tactician.

Mabrouk, who was Ahly's youth team manager, was appointed on several occasions as caretaker coach at Egypt's most decorated outfit. He also took the helm of Ahly late last season to help them win the Egyptian Premier League title.

Ahly now top CAF Confederation Cup Group A, with Tunisia's Etoile du Sahel lying second following a narrow 1-0 victory over Mali’s Stade Malien earlier in the day.

"I warned the players ahead of Esperance game and asked them to concentrate after studying the foes for three years," Mabrouk added.

"I thank Suez people for their support after the game."

Egyptian league hopes still alive

Despite the nine-point gap with arch-rivals Zamalek who are leading the Egyptian Premier League table, Ahly coach Mabrouk refused to lose hope of the league title.

Ahly are second in the table with 68 points, nine points behind leaders Zamalek who are apparently close to winning it for the first time in ten years.

"I didn't lose hopes of the Egyptian Premier League title," the Ahly tactician concluded.

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