In breathtaking fashion, Haras Al-Hedoud beat Ahli to clinch their second successive Egyptian Cup title, reports Ahmed Morsy The Egyptian national league went back to work on Sunday following a 50-day layoff because of the Africa Cup of Nations in which Egypt claimed its seventh title and record third in a row. Ahli, who have the majority of internationals, were not so successful in the league which reached the mid-season point after being handed their first loss of the season, a 2-0 defeat to Spinning Mehalla. Title holders Ahli were without several key players during their 2-0 defeat by Spinning Mehalla. A long list of injuries involved Emad Meteb, Angola's Gilberto, Ahmed Shokri and long-term causalities Moataz Eno and Mohamed Abu Treika in addition to Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan who was suspended. To make up, Ahli coach Hossam El-Badri included youngsters Shehab Ahmed and Ayman Ashraf in the 19-man squad. Moreover, the absence of full-backs Gilberto and Sayed Moawad also forced El-Badri to start with the right-footed Abdullah Farouk on the left flank. In the eighth minute, referee Fahim Omar did not hesitate to award Mehalla a penalty when Ahmed Ali recklessly obstructed Abdel-Hamid Shabana inside the area before Mahmoud El-Attar 'Jackson' made no mistake from the spot to give Mehalla an early lead. Ahli responded by controlling possession, however, they were reduced to 10 men when Wa'el Gomaa elbowed Shabana to see a straight red card five minutes from the break. On the stroke of half-time, Mehalla's Emad Osman followed Gomaa to the dugout after receiving a second yellow card. In the first minute of the second half, ex-Ahli striker Ahmed Hassan Farag, nicknamed Drogba, hit the empty net with an easy tap-in from close range, following a superb volley against the post by the on fire Shabana to make it 2-0. Owing to missing the backbone of his team, El-Badri introduced Shehab Ahmed and Osama Hosni but there attempts were to no avail. Ahli's Liberian striker Francis Doe missed a sitter in stoppage time, sloppily hitting a point-blank effort into the keeper's hands. Despite the defeat, Ahli remain in charge of the table on 35 points, four atop runner-up Ismaili. Mehalla got their 21st point to climb to ninth place. Zamalek claimed its fourth straight win, a 2-0 triumph over Enppi on Monday and climbed to fifth place with 24 points while Enppi slipped to eighth place on 21 points. The deadlock was broken with a long-range strike from youngster Alaa Ali, who fired an unstoppable effort for the opener in the 21st minute. The 37th minute witnessed a turning point in the game when Zamalek keeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed conceded a needless penalty, bringing down Ahmed Raouf. However, the Zamalek captain made amends by saving the poor spot kick from Egypt teammate Ahmed El-Muhammadi. Once more El-Muhammadi had another chance to level the scoring nine minutes after the interval, but the target of Sunderland made a mess of his point-blank effort, missing in front of an empty net. In the 64th minute, Ennpi keeper Ali Lotfi was beaten by his Egypt U-20 teammate and Zamalek youngster striker Hossam Arafat, who scored his maiden goal for the White Knights. The petroleum club produced no real threat on El-Sayed's goal, ensuring they would not get their first-ever win over Zamalek. In addition to goalgetters Ali and Arafat, Zamalek boss Hossam Hassan fielded the 18-year-old midfielder Mohamed Ibrahim for the first time. After the match Hassan said the impact of the seven-week break on Zamalek, who had five players with Egypt in Angola, was mixed. "The recent break was useful for us in one way, but not in another," said Hassan after the Enppi win. In Angola, Hassan saw his African record of most international games broken by compatriot Ahmed Hassan (no relation). "It was good for us to spend more time with players who haven't been playing regularly. I also had the opportunity to promote some promising youngsters like Mohamed Ibrahim, who is only 18. Nevertheless, I think the cup cost us a player like Mido, who left for England because he was devastated to be out of the Egypt squad. "Shikabala also was not okay when he returned from international duty because he wanted to play a more important role in the African victory," he added. Mido, the Middlesbrough player who cut short his spell with boyhood club Zamalek, joined West Ham on loan until the end of the season while Amr Zaki made a similar move to Hull City. Though considered the players who could help Zamalek vie for the league title which it has not won since 2004, the strike duo did not impress in the first half of the season. Between them, they scored just one goal in 15 games. "As for the other Zamalek players who were with the national team, it was important to get them out of the Nations Cup mood because they need to focus on the league now," Hassan added. Elsewhere, in Alexandria, Mohamed Nagi 'Gedo' basked in a hero's reception from Ittihad fans but could not replicate his Nations Cup heroics. Mohamed El-Morsi replaced Gedo in the second half to score a late goal and help Ittihad to a precious 1-0 victory over Petrojet on Sunday. Gedo, who finished as top scorer in the Africa tournament with five goals, all as a substitute, has been the subject of intense guessing by the public and media after Zamalek announced he had signed with the team before extending his initial Ittihad contract. Gedo had initially denied signing for Zamalek but later changed his position after the club insisted he had already put pen to paper before the Angola trip. The announcement, followed afterwards by an admission from the 25-year-old forward, is likely to result in a dispute between Zamalek and Ittihad. "Yes, I signed a deal with Zamalek before the Nations Cup. They told me that my signature was necessary to prove that I wanted to join them," Gedo said. "I still have one year and a half remaining on my contract with Ittihad, so I can't leave without their approval. I also want to remain with Ittihad after this season." Gedo's announcement could land him in trouble because he signed for Zamalek and Ittihad at the same time. Gedo is set to sign another extension with Ittihad, who could loan out its new-born star despite his controversial status. Meantime, a 95th minute strike from new signing Eliassou Issiaka gave Misri a precious 2-1 victory over Military Production on Monday, pushing Misri to 13th place on 15 points. Production remain in 10th on 20. Assiout Petroleum claimed their first victory this season after edging relegation rivals Al-Gouna 1-0 in Hurghada. A double from Nigerian striker Minusu Bouba gave Police Union a 2-1 victory over Haras Al-Hedoud who lie in 12th spot with 17 points. Al-Gaish beat Arab Contractors by the same score to stay in fourth with 28 points, one point from third-place Petrojet.
