Veteran right-back Ahmed Fathi played his last game for Ahly as the Egyptian champions crushed Talae El-Geish 3-0 in their final league game of the season on Saturday. Fathi played in the center of defence due to shortage of options at the back and was as solid as ever, producing a typical spirited display in his swansong. He was given a standing ovation by his teammates and the few attendees in the stands after being substituted in stoppage time. The 35-year-old has been one of Ahly's key players since joining in 2007, winning a host of titles including 10 league titles and three African Champions League crowns. He is set to join the big-spending Pyramids FC in the close season after his contract with Ahly expired. Ahly, who won the title for a fifth consecutive season with six rounds to spare last month, were presented with the league trophy following the victory over El-Geish Former player Moemen Zakareya, who is suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a rare neurological disease, was among the high-profile footballers who were invited to attend the league celebration. Ahly players have been mimicking his trademark goal celebration in recent games, lending their support to the 32-year-old as he fights the disease, which causes loss of muscle control. Experienced winger Walid Soliman needed 45 seconds to open the scoring against El-Geish, latching onto a through pass from Mahmoud Kahraba to score on the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by the keeper. Angolan winger Geraldo added the second in the 18th minute, chipping the ball over the keeper after being released by a pass from Senegalese striker Aliou Badji. Kahraba completed the rout on 36 minutes with an angled low shot that found the bottom corner of the net from inside the area. The Red Devils are gearing up for the African Champions League final, which will take place in Alexandria on 27 November, as they chase their first crown since winning the last of their record eight titles in 2013. They will face the winners of a semi-final clash between Cairo rivals Zamalek and Morocco's Raja, which will be played on Wednesday. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
