An off-colour remark by Ahli's coach clearly expressed, albeit in poor taste, what the domestic football league season has shaped up to be, writes Ahmed Morsy "The only way Ahli cannot win the league this year is if the players and the coaching staff all die." So said Manuel José, Ahli's Portuguese coach, at a press conference after Ahli beat traditional rivals Zamalek 2-0 to cement their lead atop the league table. The remark, while distasteful, is probably true. With 10 games left, Ahli have accumulated 54 points, 18 points ahead of second place Petrojet. Zamalek lie fifth with 34 points. Ahli's new midfielder Ahmed Fathi broke the Ahli-Zamalek deadlock seven minutes past the hour mark when Flavio's deflected shot went into the path of the unmarked Fathi, who chipped over the advancing Mohamed Abdel-Monsef to give his side the lead. Emad Meteb returned to his habit of scoring against Zamalek to break his goalscoring duck when he ensured the victory six minutes later after taking advantage of a howler from combative defender Beshir El-Tabie to add the second goal with a right foot shot. Prior to the Cairo derby, the striker's last goal came against Aluminum in December. Ahli, who are on the verge of claiming a fourth successive title, dominated the rest of the game and were very close to adding the third, an own goal, but the attempt was saved by Zamalek goalie. "Zamalek wanted to spoil our fete. But even if they did beat us, this wouldn't deprive us from our triumphant mood," José said in the post-match press conference. On why he does not give enough opportunities to young players despite already securing the title, the question triggered an unexpected outburst from José. "You always ask me such a question! Tell me just one name of a young player who is capable of playing with the first team. I don't know why you keep talking about young players without giving me an example?" José replied angrily. "I believe you ask such questions in order to provoke me and force me to leave the club but I will not. I won today and I will against all of you." It was derby No 101 between the two teams in the national league. Ahli have now won 36 times, Zamalek 25 and 40 draws. On Thursday, Petrojet defeated Baladayet Mehalla 2-1, while Ittihad won 1-0 against Egypt Telecom. The day after, Haras Al-Hedoud claimed an away 2-1 win over Suez Cement and Al-Gaish took home a 1-1 draw with the Arab Contractors. Misri gave their new coach Hossam Hassan his first win after a precious 3-1 home victory over Spinning Mehalla on Saturday. The win eased Masri's relegation worries as they climbed into 11th place in the standings with 20 points, level with Tersana. Egypt's legendary striker Hassan, who has yet to announce his retirement from football, took charge of the Port Said-based club after the sacking of Portuguese Juan Alves. Ismaili failed to capitalise on Zamalek's slip-up against Ahli after being held to a goalless away draw by Aluminum on the same day. Youssef Gamal headed the visitors in front six minutes after the restart but Ismaili could not hold onto their lead as Yasser Mustafa equalised for Aluminium in the 65th minute. Fifth-placed Enppi thrashed Tersana 3-1 to get to within one point of seventh place Spinning Mehalla who have 26 points.
