Ahli claimed their seventh consecutive domestic league football title, Ahmed Morsy reports With only one game to spare before the end of the 30-week Egyptian football league, reigning champions Ahli triumphed for their 36th league title and seventh in a row after thrashing already- relegated Arab Contractors 5-1. Ahli were officially handed the league shield following in the last game, a hard-fought 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Misr Lilmakassah on Sunday. Ahli finished the season with 61 points, five more than arch-rivals Zamalek who beat Military Production 3-1 on Sunday. By extending their domestic supremacy to seven successive years, Ahli left Zamalek licking their wounds after another disappointing season. Zamalek have not claim the national league title since 2004. Ahli, who were six points behind Zamalek midway through the season, went into third gear to win their sixth crown under Portuguese coach Manuel Jose. Due to an almost three-month stoppage in the league because of the January revolution, the league was the longest ever in Egyptian history, starting on 5 August 2010 and ending 11 July 2012 "I want to congratulate all the players, technical staff members and fans for this great win," Hassan Hamdy, who has been Ahli's chairman since 2001, said on the club's official website. "Everyone on our club exerted huge efforts to win the league. The great support of our loyal fans was also crucial." Ahli made a fine start to their season, winning five times and drawing twice in their first seven games. Shortly afterwards they began to slide under the guidance of coach Hossam EL-Badri who resigned after Ismaili thrashed Ahli 3-1, their only loss of the season. Afterwards, Ahli icon Abdel-Aziz Abdel-Shafi took over at the club on a temporary basis. Under Zizo, Ahli drew four times in five matches, including a goalless draw with Zamalek in the famed Cairo derby. In January, Jose made a shock return to Ahli after ending a brief stint with Saudi Arabia's Ittihad Jeddah. He was given an inspiring welcome and repaid the faith of Ahli's fans after masterminding a remarkable comeback that eventually helped the team bridge a six- point gap with Zamalek. Meanwhile, Ahmed Hassan and Osama Hosni will not be part of Ahli's squad for next season, the Egyptian champions said. Hassan has reportedly reached an agreement with cross-town rivals Zamalek to sign a two-year contract forLE6 million during the transfer window. "We want to thank Hassan and Hosni for their efforts with the club," football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz told the club's official website. "They are excellent players and we wish them a successful future." Egypt captain Hassan played three years for Ahli after joining from Belgian giants Anderlecht. The 35-year-old midfielder won three league titles as well as the African Champions League. Ahli fans waved signs in their last game, wanting management to keep veteran midfielder Hassan on the team's line-up next season. Enppi striker Ahmed Abdel-Zaher as well as Zamalek's ace Shikabala were top scorers of the season with 13 goals each. Haras Al-Hedoud forward Ahmed Eid came second with 11 goals. The three relegated teams are Arab Contractors, Ittihad and Smouha. The three promoted teams from the second division have yet to be decided. The Cairo giants, record winners of the African Champions League with six titles under their belt, open their group stage campaign against Moroccan Wydad Casablanca on 17 July. On Monday, Ahli announced they will sign a three-year sponsorship deal with telecommunications company Etisalat for LE135 million, the biggest sponsorship deal in Egyptian football. Etisalat was competing with Vodafone, Ahli's current sponsor, but Etisalat did not raise their bid beyond LE115 million.
