Ahli's new coach did not get the winning start he and the club's supporters were looking for, but they will try again tomorrow. Ahmed Morsy reports Against Smouha in the 13th week of the Egyptian national league, title holders Ahli, under their new coach Abdel-Aziz Abdel-Shafi, failed in landing the full three points after a 1-1 draw. Smouha, promoted to the first division this year, and playing Ahli for the first time in their history, took a dramatic lead seven minutes after the break following an outstanding individual effort by Ghanaian striker Godwin Attram. But Ahli piled on the pressure to avoid an embarrassing loss and managed to reinstate parity through a poacher's header from playmaker Mohamed Abu Treika. Despite the draw, Abdel-Shafi, who replaced Hossam El-Badri two weeks earlier on an interim basis, said his team's confidence is increasing. "Our self-confidence is rising. Everybody felt today that Ahli produced an improved display despite the absence of some players and the pressure the team is being subjected to," Abdel-Shafi, widely known as Zizo from his playing days, said after the Smouha game. "Generally, I was satisfied with the team's display tonight regardless of the result. We took the first step in a tiring journey." Zizo underplayed the impact of Ahli's negotiations with a foreign coach, taking over at the club in January, on team spirit. "There is nothing in football called short-term or a permanent coach," Zizo added. "The players are fully aware that their coach is doing his best, and this is what matters most." There are three foreign coaches on Ahli's shortlist for the post of head coach to be filled on 1 January. Frenchman Herve Renard is regarded the coach most likely to succeed Zizo. The 42-year-old was once in charge of Zambia and Angola. "Talks are ongoing and we are currently in a decisive stage," Renard told filgoal.com. "Ahli have to decide who they want for the job. "I would be grateful to work in Egypt and be in charge of a great team like Ahli." The second coach on the shortlist is former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Doll. He was installed at Dortmund in the 2007- 2008 season, leading them to a poor 13-place finish. The third is an anonymous Portuguese coach who reports say is not the former Ahli manager Manuel Jose. Some critics believe him to be Nelo Vingada who was coach of Ahli in 2009 but left before the beginning of the season for unspecified reasons. Jose reportedly recommended his compatriot for the hot seat. In 2009, Vingada was named head coach Vitoria SC in his homeland Portugal but quit after four months due to poor results. A replacement has not been named. Vingada was also manager of FC Seoul of South Korea. It is understood that the monthly salary of Ahli's new coach will not exceed $50,000. Ahli, who still have three games in hand, lie fifth in the league table with 19 points. The defending champions, who have won the league crown the last six years in a row, are due to play one of their postponed games against Ittihad in Alexandria tomorrow. Sayed Moawad, Shehab Ahmed and Amir Sayoud have handed Zizo a timely boost after returning to training. Ahli also play Haras Al-Hedoud on 21 December, then against their arch-rivals Zamalek scheduled for New Year's Eve, 31 December. Zamalek, who eye their first league title since 2004, moved seven points clear at the top of the table after winning a 4-3 hard-fought game over 10-man Ittihad. Ittihad, who suffered their second consecutive defeat under new coach
