CAIRO: Four youngsters featured for Ahly’s senior team for the first time in Thursday’s goalless draw with Gouna in the Egyptian Premier League.
Ahly, who have won their 35th league title a couple of weeks ago, were beefed up in the summer by the promotion of many youngsters, such as Mohamed Shokri and Shehab Ahmed.
Head coach Hossam Al-Badri introduced four new youngsters in the Red Devils’ penultimate league match in Mahmoud Toba, Ahmed Nabil, Alaa Shabaan and Saad Al-Din.
Ahly outcast Ahmed Belal was also given a go as he played the first 45 minutes before he was replaced by Hani Al-Egeizi.
But the relegation-threatened Gouna couldn’t capitalize on Ahly’s key players absence.
The coastal side are in 11th place with 33 points, only three above the danger zone, with one match left for each team in the competition.
Gouna, who took part in the top flight for the first time this season, will miss Hussein Ali in their crucial last match against Masri as the midfielder was dismissed 14 minutes from time for two bookable offenses.
Samuel Ocran couldn’t convert two clear-cut chances when he came one-on-one twice with Sherif Ekrami but the Ahly keeper kept a clean sheet.
Al-Egeizi’s introduction injected zeal but the Cairo giants couldn’t take the lead.
