Ahly's recent resurgence will be tested when they play surprise package Dakhleya in the Egyptian Premier League on Thursday, hoping to extend a four-match winning streak that lifted them to the top of the table. The Red Devils, who failed to win a major title last season for the first time since 2004, made a slow start to the new term after suffering two defeats in their first five matches. However, they have notably improved lately, collecting maximum points from four straight matches against Aswan, El-Entag El-Harby, Ittihad El-Shorta and Arab Contractors. Their wins came against modest opposition though and Dakhleya, who are fifth in the table, are likely to prove a sterner test. "We will face a strong opponent on Thursday and that game represents an important step in our path to remain on top," said Ahly's assistant coach Mohamed Abdel-Azim. "All players have a chance to break into the starting line-up because we have to rotate the squad." Ahly are two points off leaders Maqassa but they still have three games in hand. Their real competition is with arch-rivals and holders Zamalek, who are only one point behind their Cairo foes. The Red Devils will miss several regular players against Dakhleya, including top marksman Malick Evouna, winger Walid Soliman and first-choice goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy who are all injured. (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/180929.aspx
