Ahly clinched their eighth straight Egyptian Premier League title after a 0-0 draw with Smouha in a decider at Cairo Stadium (Photo: Ahram)
The Egyptian Premier League new season will begin on 18 September and the competition will return to its original one-group format, the country's football association (EFA) announced on Wednesday.
A football tragedy that left over 70 fans dead more than two years ago in coastal city Port Said led to the league cancellation in 2012 and the competition was called off again one year later due to a political turmoil that gripped the country.
Last season's version was completed behind closed doors due to security fears, with Cairo giants Ahly claiming an eighth consecutive title.
It was played in an unfamiliar two-group format, with the winners and runners up of each group playing a mini-league phase with only home fixtures to determine the champion.
The EFA did not clarify whether an ongoing crowd ban will be lifted.
The league kick-off will be preceded by the Super Cup between Ahly and Egypt Cup winners Zamalek, the traditional curtain-raiser to the season. It will take place on 14 September, with the winner earning LE1 million, the EFA said in a statement.
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