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Al-Ahram Weekly
12 hours ago
- Sport
- 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:
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Riveiro says he's delighted to join ‘European club' Al-Ahly
"I'm in a European club. You don't lack anything," said Riveiro. Jose Riveiro has described his move to Egyptian giants Al-Ahly as a dream come true. Two weeks after leaving Orlando Pirates, Riveiro was announced as the new head coach of reining African champions on Thursday. READ MORE: Ahly confirm appointment of ex-Pirates coach Riveiro The Spaniard has reportedly signed a two-year contract with Al-Ahly, 'I'm in a European club. You don't lack anything. This is what I dreamt of and hoped for, to coach a team the size of Al Ahly,' Riveiro is quoted as saying by the Egyptian media after his unveiling. Riveiro replaces Marcel Koller, who was sacked following the narrow defeat at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals of the CAF Champions League. Emad El-Nahhas took over as interim head coach and guided the club to their third successive Premier League title. El-Nahhas will remain in the setup as assistant coach to Riveiro. Dream start for the Spaniard His first task is to try and win the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. Ahly are in Group A with Portuguese giants FC Porto, Palmeiras of Brazil and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. Riveiro joins the Red Devils off the back of a remarkably successful stint at Pirates. His three years stay at the Buccaneers saw him winning five trophies – three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups. He also led Pirates to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids. The Spaniard officially left Pirates after a 3-0 win over Golden Arrows two weeks before the end of the season. Riveiro pays tribute to Pirates Riveiro paid tribute to Pirates management for allowing him to leave before the end of my contract. 'I want to express my sincere appreciation to Orlando Pirates for allowing me the opportunity to leave before the end of my contract. As someone who has never found goodbyes easy, this moment is particularly emotional for me. 'I am deeply grateful to everyone at the Club – from management and technical staff to the players and the many individuals behind the scenes who work tirelessly to support the team. ALSO READ: Egypt's Pyramids seek support as they aim to take down Sundowns 'To the players, thank you for believing in the journey we shared and for giving everything on the pitch. And to the supporters. When I first arrived, I challenged you to come out in your numbers and rally behind your team. You did that, and more. You turned every match into a moment to remember, and your passion is something I will carry with me forever.'
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ahly confirm appointment of ex-Pirates coach Riveiro
Riveiro's first task will be to lead Ahly at the Fifa Club World Cup. Egyptian giants Al Ahly have confirmed that former Orlando Pirates mentor Jose Riveiro has taken over as their new head coach. ALSO READ: Pirates star Mofokeng reveals biggest disadvantage Riveiro has signed a two-year deal to take charge of the Red Devils, Ahly announced on their official website on Thursday. 𝑨 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒔 😍 — Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) May 29, 2025 Riveiro's Pirates trophy haul Riveiro left Pirates just before the end of this season after three successful years in charge. The Buccaneers won three MTN8 trophies and two Nedbank Cups with the Spanish coach at the helm. This season, they also reached the semifinals of the Caf Champions League, just losing out to Egyptian side Pyramids. Ahly also lost in the semifinals of this season's Champions League, going down to Mamelodi Sundowns. After this result they parted ways with Swiss coach Marcel Koller, paving the way for Riveiro to take over. Taking on the world Riveiro's first task in charge of Ahly will be to lead them at the expanded Fifa Club World Cup in the USA. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Nabi to stay – 'for now' Ahly have been drawn in Group A alongside Inter Miami, Brazil's Palmeiras and Portuguese giants FC Porto.
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UPDATED: Ahly win 45th Egyptian league title - Egyptian Football
Ahly were crowned Egyptian Premier League champions after a 6-0 thrashing of Pharco FC on Wednesday. Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali stole the spotlight, scoring a super hat-trick for the Red Devils, while winger Hussein El-Shahat and midfielder Emam Ashour netted the fifth and sixth goals, respectively, to complete the rout. The reigning champions entered the clash atop the league standings with 55 points, two points ahead of second-placed Pyramids FC, meaning a draw would suffice to retain the title in front of a massive crowd. Ten minutes into the first half, Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki initiated a swift counterattack, threading a precise pass to Ahmed 'Koka' Nabil on the left flank, to deliver a pinpoint cross to Abou Ali, who converted from close range with a right-footed shot into the centre of the goal. Three minutes before halftime, Bencharki weaved through the left side before setting up Abou Ali for a second clinical finish. The decisive moment arrived 10 minutes after the break when Pharco FC goalkeeper Mohamed Shika received a red card for a reckless challenge on Emam Ashour following a VAR review. Abou Ali completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute, curling a free-kick into the bottom right corner with his right foot. Ahly coach Emad El-Nahas then introduced fresh legs, including Ali Maaloul, Mohamed 'Afsha' Magdi, and goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. Tunisian left-back Maaloul's emotional cameo marked his final appearance for the club before his contract expired, as he assisted Abou Ali's third goal with a measured cross. Hussein El-Shahat extended the lead to 5-0 in the 75th minute, latching onto Abou Ali's cross and slotting home from six yards. Ashour sealed the rout in added time with a powerful shot from inside the box after a brilliant backheel from El-Shahat. Ashour's spectacular form The 27-year-old emerged as Ahly's talisman this season. With 13 goals Ashour tops the scoring charts—a goal ahead of NBE Club's Osama Faisal and two ahead of Zamalek's Nasser Mansi, who retains a game in hand. He was instrumental for the team in key games and a major source of inspiration throughout the season. The talented midfielder was named Man of the Match on 7 occasions, the most won by any player this season. Ahly will depart for the U.S. next week to prepare for the FIFA Club World Cup. 𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐆𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🔴🔥🦅 — Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) May 28, 2025 Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Preview: Ahly, Pyramids FC set for tense finale in Egyptian Premier League - Egyptian Football
The Egyptian Premier League title race will go down to the wire on Wednesday, with leaders Ahly and second-placed Pyramids FC both in action on the final matchday of the season. The two heavyweights are separated by just a couple of points after seven games in the playoffs. For Ahly, who top the table with 55 points, the mission is set to be simple: their destiny is in their own hands when they take on Pharco FC. The defending champions leapfrogged Pyramids FC in the final stretch of the competition, benefiting from Pyramids' back-to-back defeats against Pharco and NBE Club. If Ahly secure a home victory over seventh-placed Pharco, they will be crowned Egyptian champions for the second consecutive season—and the 45th time in the club's history. However, a loss could open the door for Pyramids FC, who face a tough task against Ceramica Cleopatra. The rising powerhouse of Egyptian football has no option but to beat Ceramica and hope that Ahly lose, in order to have a chance of clinching their first domestic crown. Wednesday's match poses a real dilemma for Pyramids FC. While it's crucial for their league hopes, the club also faces a vital appointment on Sunday 1st June, in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns. After securing a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria, the club requested a postponement of Wednesday's game from the Egyptian Pro League, but their request was rejected. Reports suggest that coach Krunoslav Jurčić may field a second-string side against Ceramica, though no official confirmation has been made. Ceramica, for their part, are a tough opponent and are expected to fight fiercely as they bid for fourth place, which would earn them a spot in next season's CAF Confederation Cup. Elsewhere on the final day, fourth-placed Masry (39 points) take on bottom side Haras El-Hodoud, while sixth-placed NBE Club (37 points) face Petrojet. (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:
