File Photo: Ahly vs Ceramica. Photo courtesy of Ahram.
Under the current league format, the top seven teams advance to a mini-league to determine the champion, while the remaining 14 sides compete separately to decide the four relegation places.
The defending champions have endured a difficult campaign this season, exiting the Egypt Cup in the round of 32 and the CAF Champions League at the quarter-final stage, leaving the league title as their only remaining hope.
Those setbacks have sparked anger within the club, prompting a series of administrative decisions.
Danish coach Jess Thorup, reportedly, came close to losing his job but has been given another chance until the end of the season as Ahly pursue the title.
The task will not be easy. Ahly are third in the table with 40 points, six behind leaders Zamalek, who have played one game more.
Pyramids, who are exempt from the first round of the final phase, sit second on 43 points with a game in hand.
With only six matches remaining, Ahly have no room for error.
Reports say players are determined to prove their worth after heavy criticism over recent results.
Ahly have lost their last three matches, going down 2-1 to Talae El Gaish in the league before suffering back-to-back defeats to Esperance de Tunis in the Champions League, 1-0 away and 3-2 at home.
The Red Devils will be eager to return to winning ways against Ceramica, with victory likely to restore some calm and confidence ahead of the decisive run-in.
Thorup is expected to field his usual line-up, relying on winger Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan, who leads the league’s scoring chart with eight goals.
He will also hope that the out-of-form trio of Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed, Emam Ashour and Achraf Bencharki rediscover their best in this crucial phase.
The Danish coach must also address defensive frailties, with Ahly conceding 19 goals in 17 matches, an issue that could prove costly against attack-minded opposition in the final stage.
Injury-hit Ceramica
Ceramica Cleopatra, who led the table for a long spell this season, have slipped to fourth with 38 points after four winless matches (three draws and one defeat) and are also seeking a return to form.
They have produced several impressive displays this term and will aim for a win that could see them leapfrog Ahly into third place.
However, their task is complicated by a lengthy injury list. The club announced on Thursday that 11 players will miss the match for various reasons.
Among them are key figures including international winger Eslam Issa, who suffered an ACL injury in Egypt’s goalless draw against Spain last week, and midfielder Amr Qalawa, who has a muscle problem.
Defender Abdallah Magdy is also sidelined, while former Ahly midfielder Amr El-Soulaya will miss the game through suspension.
Despite the absences, Ceramica still boast a number of talented players, including Moroccan midfielder Ahmed Belhadji, Nigerian winger Sodiq Awujoola and South African striker Fagrie Lakay.
Under coach Ali Maher, the Cairo-based side will be chasing their first-ever victory over Ahly.
Since earning promotion in the 2020-21 season, Ceramica have lost 13 times and drawn twice against the record champions, most recently in December 2022.
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