Zamalek SC became closer to win their first Egyptian Premier League title in six years after their 1-0 win over struggling Wadi Degla on Tuesday to secure a four-point lead on top after challengers Al Ahly stumbled.
However, Zamalek management warned the football team that they should not celebrate too early with three games left to decide their season.
Al Ahly’s surprising draw against Tala’ea El Gaish means Zamalek will need only two wins to be officially crowned champions of the league.
Zamalek’s French Patrice Carteron also warned the team against early celebrations, especially since league matches are always full of surprises. However, he told his players that he trusts their abilities to win the tournament.
Hussein Labib, Acting President of Zamalek, said the football team now focus on winning the league, explaining that the club’s management decided to postpone addressing all controversial files, including contract expansion of some players, until after the league.
Zamalek will hold a closed training camp on Thursday, in preparation for their clash with Ceramica Cleopatra, which was scheduled for Friday, at the new Suez Sports Stadium.
Carteron will hold a technical session with the players this evening, during which he will talk about the opposing team in detail, and motivate the players of Zamalek to get the three precious points.
Al Ahly experience fury and frustration
A state of fury and frustration dominates Al Ahly SC after a series of draws that cost them important points in their search for the 43rd and sixth-in-row league title.
Al Ahly lost two points after a goalless draw with Tala’ea El Gaish in the 31st round of the Premier League.
Zamalek now top the league table with 73 points, while the Red Devils are second with 69 points, with both having three games in hand.
Al Ahly struggled due to the absence of their main striker and top scorer, Mohamed Sharif, who suffered a muscle injury last week. Walter Bwalya, Marwan Mohsen, Salah Mohsen, and Taher Mohamed Taher could not fill Sharif’s shoes in the attacking line.
Al Ahly’s failure to score in the absence of Sharif confirms that the team need to sign another talented striker in the upcoming transfer window.
Pitso Mosimane, coach of Al Ahly, said he was disappointed by the goalless draw against Tala’ea El Gaish. He emphasized that the players made a great effort and created many chances, but those attempts were unsuccessful.
Sayed Abdel Hafeez, football director at Al Ahly, banned players from media duties, as Mosimane roasted the team after the last match.
Mahmoud Al-Khatib, President of Al Ahly, is reportedly set to issue some disciplinary decisions.
A source inside Al Ahly said that Al-Khatib is considering imposing large fines on the players, due to their bad performance during the last period.
