Titleholders Al-Ahly host relegation-threatened Mansoura Thursday night in Cairo in a bid to clinch their sixth successive league title. The Red Devils, who need just one point to win the league title, seek to compensate for their 2-0 African Champions League (ACL) loss against Ittihad Friday night in the Libyan capital of Tripoli. Ahly coach Hossam el-Badri confesses that they lost in Libya because of some defensive problems. The players didn't play as a team, although they dominated the ball. Anyway, they're favourites to win Thursday night, although some key players will be absent. Ahmed Fathi, Sherif Abdel-Fadil and Ahmed Ali are out of the clash due to injury. Mohamed Abou Treika, meanwhile, may miss the game due to fever, but he might come on later in the match. Striker Emad Met'eb, who is currently in Germany for medical tests, has also been ruled out. El-Badri may use Francis Doe of Liberia instead. Mohamed Fadl, Ahmed Belal and Osama Hosni are all ready for Thursday night's clash. Former Ahly's coach Manuel Jose of Portugal is expected to attend the match, so he can join in the celebrations if the Red Devils draw or win. In terms of titles won, Jose was Ahly's most successful-ever coach. In other league games, Al-Geish host Ismaili Thursday. The Canal-based club, Ismaili, are setting their sight on the second or third place as they currently lie in the fourth place with 42 points. They are up against a tough team, but they are pinning their hopes on their brilliant goalie Essam el-Hadari. The Dervishes are feeling confident after keeping the fans happy with a 1-0 away victory over Al-Hilal of Sudan in round of 16 of the ACL, thanks to skipper Mohamed Hommos' efforts. Ismaili's coach Emad Soleiman is hoping they'll clinch all three points against Al-Geish Thursday.
