CAIRO: Ten-man Ismaili maintained their title hopes with a 2-0 home victory over Harras Hodoud in the Egyptian Premier League on Saturday. The game was played behind closed doors as Ismaili serves a two-match home ban for the crowd trouble that marred their 1-0 defeat to Ahli. Nigerian striker Nasigba John-Jumbo, who joined Ismaili last month, broke the deadlock after nine minutes to score his first goal for the club. He towered to head Mohamed Hommos cross past Hodoud keeper Mathurin Kameni. Ismaili s newly-signed Mozambique defender Dario Khan was sent-off in the 71st minute for a second bookable offense. But despite their numerical disadvantage, Ismaili ensured their win one minute from time. Talented playmaker Abdullah Saied finished off a neatly-worked counter attack with a close-range shot that deflected off William Mensah and went into the net. The victory eased the pressure on Ismaili coach Ricardo Ferreira, who was recently given a vote of confidence by the club s board. The Dervishes are fourth in the league table with 32 points, two adrift of leaders Petrojet. Hodoud s hopes of claiming a CAF Confederation Cup spot faded as they slipped to fourth place on 24 points. ENPPI also made sure they would remain in the title race after edging Asyut Petroleum 2-1. Full-back Abdullah Ragab fired ENPPI in front after 10 minutes before Ivorian striker Vincent Die Foneye doubled their advantage seven minutes later. Asyut pulled one back through Hani Abdullah 54th-minute strike but ENPPI held onto their lead to claim a precious victory. Anwar Salama s side, which has 32 points, preserved their third-place position while Asyut are struggling in 12th spot with 20 points, two above the relegation zone.
