JOHANNESBURG: Defending champions Al-Ahly and Ismailia will clash Sunday in a title play-off after finishing level on 63 points in the Egyptian championship.
But it was a close call for an Ahly team chasing a fifth consecutive crown as they needed two stoppage-time goals to overcome mid-table Gaish 3-1 while Ismailia cruised to a 3-0 victory over relegated Tersana on Wednesday.
Although Ahly finished with a superior goal difference – plus 25 to plus 21 – Egypt does not follow this traditional method of separating clubs who share top place and Alexandria will host the play-off.
Ahmed Abdullah gave Gaish an early second-half lead, Mohamed Abou-Trika leveled and Ahmed Fathi and Mohamed Talaat struck in stoppage time for six-time African champions Ahly.
Ismailia had it much easier against doomed Tersana, taking a 12th-minute lead through Mohab Saied and confirming their superiority after half-time through goals from Mohamed Hommos and Abdullah Saied.
Olympic and Tersana will be joined in the second division next season by Telecom Egypt or Ghazi Mehalla, who hold a one-point advantage ahead of the final matches late Thursday. -AFP
