Jose’s Ahly on top with high morale before title deciders
Eslam Omar, Wednesday 22 Jun 2011
Ahly’s eyes are on the title as they are pleased to be on top of the league table with five matches remaining after winning ENPPI 2-1 on Tuesday thanks to coach Manuel Jose


Ahly players and coaching staff hailed their Portuguese manager, Manuel Jose, after the 2-1 win over ENPPI in day 25 of the Egyptian Premier League. Their 52 points put Ahly at the top of the table after a ten-month absence.

“Jose’s speech after the first half was the password to the victory,” Ahly’s football director, said Sayed Abdel-Hafiz after the match.

During the post-match press conference, Portuguese general trainer Pedro expressed his delight over leading the league table, thanking the coach and the players.

“ENPPI’s first goal made the players enthusiastic to win especially after Jose spoke to them before the second half,” Pedro said.

The Red Devils’ striker, Emad Meteb who made his first appearance this season on Tuesday scoring the win with a header, praised the team's persistence inclinching three points. He also thanked Jose for the enthusiasm he spread in the red camp.

“Jose chooses the right time to enter the player on the field. He can make anyone be in his highest level,” said the 28-year-old hitman.

Midfielder Ahmed Shokry revealed that he is pleased to get back to the pitch, explaining that he was “surprised when Jose picked” him and promising to “deliver a responsible performance to help Ahly in the title race.”

The 35-time League-holders have started a camp for their next two hard rounds as they will clash with the third-placed Ismaily (43 points) on Saturday before meeting arch-rivals and runners-up Zamalek (50 points) next Wednesday. Ahly will have three easier matches in July, against relegation-strugglers Smouha and Arab contractors ending their race with the fourth-placed, Maqassa.

“All the next matches are must-wins as we are competing for the trophy,” said defender Ahmed El-Sayed.

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/14802.aspx