CAIRO: The Egyptian Premier League resumed on Wednesday, with no less than 15 members of Egypt’s African Cup of Nations winning squad boosting their clubs.
The main event will witness a confrontation between underachieving duo Ismaili and Zamalek, who are both desperate to catch up with leaders Al Ahly.
Even though Ismaili is without influential full-back Sayed Moawad, who joined Trabzonspor on-loan during the January transfer window, the Dervishes have CAN 2008 Player of the Tournament Hosni Abd Rabou in possession.
Cool-minded sweeper Hani Saied is also be a major asset after his solid performance in Ghana.
On the other hand, Zamalek is spearheaded by the “Tiger Amr Zaki, who enjoyed a wonderful Nations Cup campaign.
Apart from that, the Whites welcome back midfield wizard Mahmoud “Shikabala Abdel Razeq, who has been given the green light to play after FIFA froze his six-month ban.
In Cairo, highflying leaders Al Ahly entertain struggling Al Masri as the Reds are looking to extend their winning streak to eight games.
The likes of Mohamed Abou Trika, Essam Al-Hadari, Emad Meteb, Shadi Mohamed and Ahmed Fathi are buoyant after their achievement with the national team.Abou Trika heightened his already-staggering reputation when he scored the winning goal in the final against Cameroon, while Al-Hadari s displays earned him the best goalkeeper tag.
Defense duo Shadi and Fathi were also impressive in Ghana, as the latter is set to make his debut following a move from England s Sheffield United.
Striker Emad Meteb hopes to regain his lost goal-scoring form though, after he failed to find the net in any of Egypt s 15-goal glut in Ghana.
Al Masri gave Al Ahly a tough contest in the first game of the season, which ended 2-2, but the Port-Saied based club are just two points off the relegation zone.
In Suez, third-placed Petrojet hosts Tersana in an attempt to leapfrog Al-Gaish, who surprisingly lost at home to lowly Suez Cement last week.
Petrojet key man is midfielder Ahmed Shaaban, who was an unused substitute in Egypt s CAN winning squad.
Other matches on Wednesday included: ENPPI-Ghazl Mahalla, Baladeya-Arab Contractors, Aluminum-Egypt Telecom and the Alexandria derby between Ittihad and Harras Al-Hodoud
