After defeating Ismaily 2-1 in week 26 of the Egyptian domestic league, Ahly football director englis commended his players’ performance and asked them to do their best in Wednesday’s showdown against Zamalek.
He also declared that despite the five point gap over arch-rivals Zamakel, the league championship is yet to be defined.
“The five points gap over second-place holders Zamalek isn’t enough to name the league champion,” Sayed Abdel-Hafiz was quoted as saying on the club's official site.
“Cairo derby means a lot for our supporters as they consider it as a special championship,” he added.
The 33-year-old football director confirmed that the team will assemble a one-day closed camp to prepare for the game against Zamalek, maintaining confidence in his players' ability to hold the league title for the seventh-consecutive time.
Ahly players’ statements
All the Egyptian league-holders players agree that the game against Zamalek will set who is winner of the league title.
“The coming game against Zamalek has a special technique and I hope my team snatches the three points of the game to edge close to the league title,” Ahly defender Wael Gomaa said after the 2-1 win over Ismaily, adding, “the five points gap over Zamalek is not enough to name the league champions.”
Cairo giant, midfielder Mohamed Barakat, said that arch-rival Zamalek’s defeat to El Masry on the same day was useful in spreading the points gap to five.
“Winning the Cairo derby will keep the league in the red castle for the seventh time respectively,” Barakat said.
Winger Ahmed Fathi also affirmed that his team Ahly should win the remaining four games of the Egyptian domestic league.
Ahly are in the driving seat of the Egyptian Premier League with 55 points, five ahead of arch-rivals and runners-up Zamalek.
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