The post-Pitso Mosimane’s era at Al Ahly looks certain to end on a low, as the struggling Egyptian giants’ domestic league title hopes have ended.
Al Ahly’s championship hopes vanished on Friday evening when rivals Zamalek beat Pharco FC 1-0 in an Egyptian Premier League contest.
Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute.
The result saw Zamalek take their tally to 75 points, which is actually the maximum that Al Ahly can reach, assuming they win their remaining four games.
The only unlikely scenario for Mosimane’s former team to win the elusive league is for Zamalek and second-placed Pyramids to lose all their remaining three games.
Zamalek and Pyramids of Fagrie Lakay have three games to the finish line of the season whereas Al Ahly have four going into this weekend’s assignment.
Pyramids have 68 points from 31 games followed by Al Ahly’s 63 points from 30 matches.
It means that Zamalek need one more win to wrap up the title races.
This is case as Pyramids’ maximum tally of points is 77.
Therefore, the only hope for some silverware for Al Ahly under Portuguese coach Ricardo Soares this season lies in the Egyptian Cup.
Soares replaced Mosimane who resigned amid mounting pressure and criticism from Al Ahly legends despite the South Africa’s obvious success that included two CAF Champions League titles in three attempts.
In an interview with FilGol, Zamalek coach Josefaldo Ferreira said he had the confidence in his players to stay focused and win the remaining three games.
“I congratulate all the young and experienced players of Zamalek. We are one game away from deciding the league. Personally, I believe in our ability to win the next match and decide the league title,” he said.
However, Pyramids captain Abdullah Al-Saeed has refused to throw in the towel saying they would do their part by trying to win the remaining games and wait.
“I am very happy with the great victory over Smouha. The victory was very important in order to continue the march until the end and reap all the available point,” he told FilGoal.
“All players have a clear goal, which is to reap all the available points and not lose any point.”
