Ahly look in a better mood as they seem to be overcoming a difficult period, securing three successive wins, making three winter signings and appointing a new coach. The Red Devils will be eyeing a fourth straight Egyptian Premier League win when they meet promoted Nogoum FC on Monday as they look to further bridge the gap on leaders Zamalek. The game will likely be the last for interim boss Mohamed Youssef before he returns to his role as an assistant coach as Ahly on Sunday unveiled Uruguayan Martin Lasarte as their new manager. Ahly are also active in the transfer window, having already signed Angolan forward Geraldo, Wadi Degla's Egyptian international midfielder Mohamed Mahmoud and Maqassa left-back Mahmoud Wahid for January. They are expected to make other signings before the closure of the transfer window, giving their fans reason to be optimistic after a disappointing recent run that saw them lose to Tunisia's Esperance in the African Champions League final. They also bowed out of the Arab Zayed Cup at the last 16 stage, with their loss to UAE side Al-Wasl sealing the fate of French boss Patrice Carteron. However, since Carteron's departure, they have won three league games and lost once and opened their new Champions League campaign with a 2-0 home win over Ethiopia's Jimma Aba Jifar in the first leg of the competition's round of 32 on Friday. Ahly are eighth in the league table 20 points from 10 games. However, should they win their rescheduled games, they will only three points short of Zamalek. Nogoum, who caused two of the competition's greatest upsets by beating Zamalek and Ismaily, are 13th on 17 points. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
