After seeing his team secure its third successive win in the Egyptian Premier League, Ahly’s coach Manuel Jose Da Silva has hailed his experienced playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika, who contributed to the club’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over ENPPI in the sixth match-day of the tournament on Monday.

The 33 year-old international had the best birthday celebration he could wish for when he scored a goal from a first-half penalty and later contributed in another, to help the Red Devils top the league table with 14 points.

“Abou-Treika is a model on the field and off the field, especially for junior players. I hope he will continue playing until he reaches the age of 36,” the Portuguese coach told a TV channel after the match.

Jose admitted that his players were responsible for the two goals they conceded, because the Egyptian League title-holders had a shortage in their defensive line-up.

“We were negatively affected by the absence of both defenders Nagiub and Rami Rabeia, but my players are well qualified to play with more than one tactic to solve urgent problems,” Jose explained.

“Our performance in the second half was not good at all. We granted them their first goal and the second came from a fatal error by our players,” the 65 year-old tactician added.