Preview: Ahly seek to maintain winning rhythm against Masry in tough league clash - Egyptian Football
Defending champions Ahly will be desperate for a win on Thursday when they face Masry in a league game at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium, as the Red Devils cannot afford to drop any points in their tight title race with Pyramids FC
Ahly currently sit second in the table with 46 points, just one point behind leaders Pyramids FC, who handed the Red Devils a boost by losing to Pharco FC on Sunday.
Pyramids FC will also face a tough challenge on Friday when they visit Ceramica Cleopatra.
Ahly will be without the support of their fans, after the competitions committee sanctioned the club to play two matches behind closed doors—a significant blow during this crucial period of the season.
Nevertheless, Ahly capitalized on Pyramids' stumble by routing Harras El-Hodoud 5–0, narrowing the gap to just one point.
The match featured a strong performance from the team under interim coach Emad El-Nahass, who took over from Swiss manager Marcel Koller last month.
El-Nahass's debut was far from easy, as Ahly edged Petrojet 3–2 in a thrilling encounter before the dominant victory over Harras El-Hodoud.
However, Masry present a tougher challenge than Ahly's previous two opponents. Even without their Algerian star Abderrahim Deghmoum, the Port Said-based team remains strong with players like Mahmoud Hamada, Salah Mohsen, and Mido Gaber.
'Our target is to maintain our winning rhythm in this difficult league campaign,' Ahly interim coach Emad El-Nahass told reporters.
El-Nahass has a full squad available, with the exception of veteran defender Rami Rabia, who is likely to miss the game due to an injury sustained in the win over Harras El-Hodoud.
On the other side, Masry are led by Tunisian coach Anis Boujelbene, a former Ahly midfielder during the early 2000s.
Masry have already held both Pyramids FC and Zamalek to goalless draws in the playoffs and are hoping to secure another positive result against another title contender.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
16 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Liverpool sign Dutch right-back Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen - World
Liverpool quickly secured a replacement for the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold by signing Netherlands right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday. Frimpong returns to England on what Liverpool called a 'long-term contract' six years after leaving Manchester City, which he joined at age 9. He spent nine years there before joining Celtic without ever playing in the Premier League. 'It went quite easy. Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer," Frimpong said in a Liverpool statement. Frimpong said he told his agents: 'Whatever you guys do, just get this done.' The 24-year-old Frimpong has blossomed after arriving in 2021 at Leverkusen, where he has been playing as an attacking wing back under Xabi Alonso. He was one of the German team's star players in its unbeaten Bundesliga campaign in the 2023-24 season. We have agreed the signing of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen 🙌🔴 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 30, 2025 Frimpong is a like-for-like replacement for Alexander-Arnold, who announced on May 5 he was leaving Liverpool after a 20-year association. Liverpool received a fee on Friday to let Alexander-Arnold leave in time to play for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup. Frimpong will compete with Conor Bradley for the right back position and give Liverpool manager Arne Slot the option of switching to a 3-5-2. Frimpong's international opportunities with the Dutch have been limited because of competition for right wing back with Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries. Frimpong more recently played as an out-an-out winger against Spain in the Nations League playoffs. Born in Amsterdam, Frimpong grew up in Manchester and played for City's academy. He has said he had a hard time adapting to Celtic after leaving City in 2019 as he was farther away from family, but felt more comfortable in Germany. Frimpong's departure increases the scope of the rebuild Leverkusen and its new coach Erik ten Hag face following the departure of Xabi Alonso for Real Madrid. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
16 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Preview: Zamalek aim high note in league finale against Pharco FC after poor season - Egyptian Football
Cairo giants Zamalek will be aiming to salvage pride from a disappointing Egyptian Premier League campaign when they face Pharco FC in the final matchday of the playoff stage at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday. The White Knights enter the match with renewed confidence after securing their first win under interim coach Ayman El-Ramady, defeating Petrojet 3-1 last Saturday. El-Ramady, 60, was appointed interim manager on 7 May becoming the fourth manager to take over the team this season after Jose Gomes, Christian Gross and Jose Peseiro. He had a shaky start at the Cairo-based side, drawing 2-2 with Ceramica Cleopatra and suffering a slim 1-0 defeat to Pyramids FC. Zamalek are currently third in the league standings with 44 points, 14 behind champions Ahly and 12 adrift of second-placed Pyramids FC. El-Ramady faces challenges with a growing injury list that includes Ahmed Jafeli, Ahmed Fatouh, and Hamza Mathouthi, and Moroccan left-back Mahmoud Bentayg all of whom will miss the game. Fortunately, he will receive a boost as several injured players are set to return. Midfield duo Nasser Maher and Mahmoud Gehad have recovered and will be available for selection. The team's top scorer Nasser Mansi has also resumed training but may not start the game. Mansi has a personal challenge as he will be hoping to score a double to match Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour's 13 goals at the top of the league's scoring chart. This match serves as valuable preparation for Zamalek ahead of their Egypt Cup final against Pyramids FC on 5 June. Pharco FC, meanwhile, arrive following a heavy 6-0 defeat to Ahly on Wednesday, in a match that marked the Red Devils' coronation ceremony for their record-extending 45th league title. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CAF
a day ago
- CAF
Confident Khoza gearing up for the final stretch in Cairo
As the stage shifts to Cairo for the decisive second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final, Mamelodi Sundowns are brimming with belief as they prepare to face Pyramids FC on Sunday, 1 June. The first leg, played in Pretoria on Saturday, 24 May, ended in a thrilling 1-1 stalemate, leaving everything to play for in the Egyptian capital. Both teams will be eyeing a strong start as they look to seize control early in what promises to be a fiercely contested decider. Sundowns, champions in 2016, are aiming to lift their second continental title and cement their status as one of Africa's elite clubs. Their experience and composure at this level could be key as they step into a cauldron-like atmosphere in Cairo. On the other side, Pyramids FC will be chasing history, hoping to emulate Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly and Zamalek by claiming their first TotalEnergies CAF Champions League crown. Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, Sundowns defender Grant Kekana expressed confidence in his side's preparation and tactical approach: 'We are very confident in our team. Of course, it was a tough match in the first leg but I think we're going to do very well. We know what we're going to do. We know how they will play. It's more of a team that stays at the back. We know how we're going to exploit the spaces. We're going to support each other and go forward', said Kekana. With a strong defensive unit, a dynamic midfield, and clinical finishers, Sundowns will look to stay compact against a Pyramids side known for their discipline and quick transitions as evidently seen in their last gasp come-back in Pretoria. With everything on the line, Sunday's clash promises to be a captivating contest between two teams chasing glory.
