CAIRO - The 14th week of the 2011-2012 Egyptian Premier League continues Sunday with three games: El-Gouna, Al-Ittihad of Alexandria and Wadi Degla are going to take on El-Talefounat, Zamalek and El-Geish respectively. Tricky clash for the White Knights Zamalek's assistant coach Ismail Youssef says that his side are ready for Sunday's awkward game against Ittihad of Alexandria at Alexandria Stadium. “Although the team are fatigued as a result of playing so many matches recently, we are well prepared for this clash," Youssef stressed after the team's last training session, praising Ittihad's coaching staff. He added that left-winger Mohamed Abdel Shafei and right-winger Ahmed Samir will be fit for the game, although the main training witnessed the absence of defender Mahmoud Fathallah, who has been training individually and might not be available for Sunday's match. "Although the squad is not at its strongest, we will do our best to snatch all the three points," stressed Youssef, pointing out that the players have the willpower and persistence to win. Youssef was delighted by his team's 1-0 win over El-Gouna last week, promising that the White Knights will get even better in the near future. “The match against El-Gouna was really difficult and I want to thank all the players for their efforts," Youssef continued, pointing out that the team put on well for first 30 half hour, then faded because they were so tired. "But that win will give the team a boost for today's match," he explained. Zamalek defeated El-Gouna in the 13th week of the Premier League thanks to Ahmed Hassan's goal. The victory puts the White Knights in third place with 26 points from 11 games. Youssef explained that the team faced many injuries before the Gouna game to players like Abdel Shafei and defender Salah Soleiman, which made their task that much harder. "But the coaching staff are happy with the team who performed well despite the tricky circumstances,” he explained, adding that the coaching staff made changes with the aim of controlling the midfield area. Youssef said that striker Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' will play a big role in the coming period in the team, stressing that the fact that he's missed the past two games does nothing to diminish his talents. "Mido is an important player with great experience and we want to make the most of this," he commented. Meanwhile, the agent for Zamalek striker Amr Zaki said yesterday that the player has been approached by the Emirates club of the United Arab of Emirates. "Zaki has received an offer from Emirates club to join them on loan for the next six months," Nader Shawqi, his agent, said, pointing out that the whole matter will refereed to the Zamalek board to decide. Commenting on the Zaki offer, Youssef said that the coaching staff, headed by Hassan Shehata, will refuse to let him go, even on loan. "We want Zaki to continue with the team. He is an important player with a big role in the coming period," he explained. Two weeks ago, Zamalek announced that the coaching staff had accepted an apology from Zaki, who failed to turn up at the club for training for several weeks, due to a dispute over unpaid wages with the club's former board. "Shehata accepted Zaki's apology during a meeting, but the final decision is in the hands of the club's current board, headed by Mamdouh Abbas," Youssef said, pointing out that Zaki's apology is a good step towards repairing his damaged relations with the club. Meanwhile, Ittihad have been busy with last-minute preparations ahead of their clash against Zamalek in Alexandria. During Saturday's training, Spanish coach Juan José Maqueda tried out some new tactics with the players, urging them to concentrate and start pressuring the Zamalek defence right from the word go. "We want to win to compensate for losing against El-Masry last week," Maqueda said. According to sources in the coastal club, Maqueda has been drumming into the players the importance of passing well and working hard early on trying and find the back of the White Knights' net. The Spanish coach is pinning his hopes on Iraqi striker Moustafa Kareem scoring against Zamalek. The ex-Real Madrid coach regrets the absence of Mahmoud Samir, sent off in the Masry game, and Rami Rabei, injured in the same game. Masry stunned Ittihad 2-0 last week. Ittihad are now in tenth place with 15 points from 13 games. Ismaili held to a 1-1 draw with Police Police Union were held to a 1-1 draw by Ismaili Friday night, with striker Salah Ashour getting on the score sheet for the Police Union as Ismaili striker Ahmed Ali finding the back of the net for MCSD. Ismaili are 5th place with 21points, while Police Union are 4th on 25 points. Enppi stun Arab Contractors 3-0 Enppi stunned Arab Contractor 3-0 Friday night thanks to goals from striker Ahmed Raouf. Enppi are now in 8th place with 18 points, while Arab Contractors remain in 14th place on 10 points. El-Geish take on Wady Degla Farouq Gaafar, El-Geish coach, is hoping his lads beat Wady Degla after last week's 1-1 draw against Misr Elmaqasah (MCSD). Striker Mohamed Zaki got on the score sheet for El-Geish and midfielder Omar Nagdi found the back of the net for MCSD. "The coaching staff have been urging the players to snatch all three points, so we can maintain our position in League table," Essam Marie, the general coach of the team said. El-Geish are in 15th place with ten points; Degla are in 12th on 12 points. Marie explained that the team are suffering many injures, starting from midfielder Sayyed Abdel Aal and Ivorian striker Abu Konaa. "Although we have injuries, we've got substitutes ready to fill the breach," he explained. Degla assistant coach Ahmed Hamouda is hoping for a good result against El-Geish. Last week, Degla 0-0 draw with Al-Mahallah. "El-Geish are a good team with many experienced and talented players, but the players have the confidence to beat them," Hamouda said, praising El-Geish coaching staff. Abou-Trieka to stay permanently with Ahly Egypt's international and Al-Ahly playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika has said once again that he will never play for another club. "I'm very happy here," he stressed. There have been some rumours that Abou Treika would go to one of the Gulf clubs in June. "I will only play for Al-Ahly. My dream is to end my career here," he confirmed. Abou Treika added that he is in no hurry to renew his contract with the Red Devils, which will expire at the end of 2013. “I will stay with Ahly even if they don't renew my contract. I will finish my career with the Red Devils," he stressed. Al-Ahly to face Atletico Madrid - official Al-Ahly will play Atletico Madrid in a friendly in Madrid late in August, Hassan Hamdi, the President of Ahly, has confirmed. "We have received an invitation from a company that organises soccer fixtures," Hamdi stated on the Red Devils' official website. "The terms of the agreement will be announced in the next few days.” The Cairo giants met Bayern Munich in a friendly in Doha last week, narrowly losing 2-1 to the German titans in stoppage time. The Red Devils put on well against the Bundesliga heavyweights.
Egyptian Premier League 14th week fixtures:
Sunday, January 15: 2:30pm El-Gouna v El-Talefounat 4:45pm Al-Ittihad v Zamalek 7:15pm Wady Degla v El-Geish
