ALEXANDRIA: An early Flavio Amado goal gave Al-Ahly a 1-0 victory over Ismaili Sunday in the Egyptian championship play-off.
It was the fifth consecutive title for the Cairo Red Devils and a fitting farewell to Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, who takes charge of 2010 African Nations Cup hosts Angola next month.
Ironically, the goal was created and executed by Angolans with diminutive Flavio rising above minder Moatassem Salem to steer a Felisberto Gilberto Amaral free kick past goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi.
Victory was a huge relief for Ahly, who endured a miserable start to May when they made a shock exit from the African Champions League by losing on away goals to international rookies Kano Pillars of Nigeria.
Within a week, Jose said he was ending a 21-title run as coach of a club that claims 40 million supporters in the Middle East and have won the African Champions League a record six times.
Ismailia, whose last title came seven years ago, could also lose their coach with Brazilian Ricardo Ferreira telling reporters he was unhappy with the financial state of the club. -AFP
