Weiler prepares for Egyptian League debut

CAIRO, 22 September 2019:Al Ahly coach, Rene Weiler, has asked the team's fitness coach to increase the players' physical load before facing Smouha on Monday in the Egyptian League opening match.

The 2019/2020 Egyptian League season has started on Saturday.

Al-Ahly defeated Zamalek 3-2 on Friday night to win the Egyptian Super Cup derby at Borg El Arab Stadium.

Al Ahly continued their camp in Borg El Arab in preparation for the match against Smouha due to lack of time. Weiler seeks to identify alternatives for defenders who have been injured; Mahmoud Metwally and Yasser Ibrahim.

This edition of the Super Cup is for the 2017-2018 season when Al Ahly won the Egyptian league while Zamalek won the Egyptian Cup.

Al-Ahly manager, Rene Weiler, decided to start the derby with the experienced striker, Junior Ajayi, and he will keep Marwan Mohsen beside him on the bench.

Al-Ahly starting line-up for the derby consists of: Mohamed El_Shenawy, Ali Maaloul, Ahmed Fathy, Yasser Ibrahim, Mahmoud Metwaly, Afsha, HamdyFathy, Amr El Solia, Ramadan Sobhy, Hussein El Shahat and Junior Ajayi.

On the other hand, Zamalek Serbian manager, Micho, will count on the team’s three magicians, Mahmoud AbdelrazikShikabala, Youssef Obama and AchrafBencherki to break Al-Ahly defense.

Zamalek starting line-up consists of: Mohammed Awwad, Mahmoud Alaa, Mohamed Abdelghany, HamdiNaguez, Mohamed Abdelshafy, FerjaniSassi, Tarek Hamed, Youssef Obama, Bencherki, Mohamed Ounajem and Shikabala.

Ajayi opened the score for Al-Ahly 17 minutes from the start after he received a wonderful cross from Ahmed Fathy.

Al-Ahly doubled the score seconds before half time through Hussein El Shahat after Zamalek defenders failed to clear the ball to end the first half with a 2-0 lead for Al-Ahly.

The second half started with another goal for Al-Ahly by Junior Ajayi who was his club’s hero during the game.

Everyone expected Al-Ahly to dominate the game but Zamalek returned in the game with Mahmoud Alaa’s two goals from the penalty spot.

Zamalek made many attempts to add the third goal to equal the score but Al-Ahly defense stopped all the opponent’s attempts.

Al-Ahly won the game 3-2 to achieve their 11th Super Cup title.