Ahly players deserve appreciation, says football director

Ahly was the better side in Wydad match, but bad luck was the reason for the draw, claims football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz

Ahly football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz said the players should be acclaimed despite a 1-1 Champions League draw with Moroccan side Wydad on Sunday.
“Ahly players performed well in Wydad game and they deserve a warm reception due to their effort in the game,” Ahly football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz told the match press conference.
“Ahly was close to victory, but the bad luck and the loss of several goal opportunities at Wydad's net were the reason for the draw,” he added.
“I am sure that the players will do their best in the game against Tunisian side Esperance and book a place in the CAF Champions league semi-finals.”
Ahly survived a late onslaught to hold Wydad Casablanca to a 1-1 draw and keep alive their hopes of reaching the Champions League semis. They will face Tunisian side Esperance in Cairo Stadium next Friday.
“I ask Ahly supporters to stand behind their team in the game against Esperance,” stated the Ahly's football director, concluding the post-match press conference.
On the other hand, Wydad tactician Michel Decastel revealed that his team's players committed more mistakes in the game, handing Ahly the upper hand.
“Wydad players made more mistakes in the first half, but I did my best to get back into the game again,” Decastel said.
“Ahly's players are more experience than Wydad's. I ask Wydad fans to forgive me for the draw,” he added.
The Cairo giants lie third in Group B with six points, one behind Wydad and three adrift of Tunisia's Esperance with one match remaining.