Preview: Ahly seeking to wrap up league title as soon as possible to focus on Champions League

Ahram Online , Sunday 6 Sep 2020

Ahly
File photo of an Egyptian Premier League game between Ahly and Haras El-Hodoud (Photo: Al-Ahram)

Runaway leaders Ahly are seeking to officially wrap up the Egyptian Premier League title as soon as possible to shift their focus to their primary target this season -- winning the elusive African Champions League.

The Red Devils, who meet Haras El-Hodoud on Monday, need just four wins out of their remaining 10 matches to win the title for a fifth straight time, providing that nearest challengers Zamalek win their respective games.

Winning Egypt's premier domestic competition has become customary for Ahly, who prioritise clinching the lucrative Champions League title.

Africa's blue-riband club competition has eluded them since they won the last of their record eight trophies in 2013. They went close to ending that run twice, only to lose to Morocco's Wydad and Tunisia's Esperance in two successive finals in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Ahly meet Wydad again in an anticipated two-legged final on 26 September and they can start resting their key regulars in the domestic campaign once they gain an unassailable lead on top.

The Cairo giants have 65 points from 24 matches, a staggering 17 ahead of second-placed and perennial rivals Zamalek.

"We have a clear target now, which is to officially secure the league title in order to concentrate on our African Champions League campaign," Ahly's veteran winger Walid Soliman told the club's official website.

El-Hodoud, who lie 12th in the 18-team table on 26 points, will be looking to snap a run of four straight draws when they meet Ahly.

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