Al-Ahly manager Hossam el-Badri has promised young players more opportunities in the Egyptian Cup later this month. Following Monday's 1-0 win over Military Production in Cairo in the last week of the Egyptian Premier League, champions Ahly have finished the league season with 65 points. They have been relying on a number of young players recently. "The young players are very enthusiastic, which is why they'll get more chances in the cup," el-Badri said after the Production win. "Today [on Monday] Ahmed Nabil 'Manga' and Saad Samir were impressive and that's positive. Now we're focusing on the cup. I'd love to do the double in my first season in charge." Badri has been praised for promoting a host of young players this season, most notably Shehab Ahmed, Ahmed Shokri, Moustafa Mahmoud 'Afroto' and Ayman Ashraf. Ahly will meet Nabarouh from el-Daqahlia Governorate in the Egyptian Cup later this month. Meanwhile, Ghazl el-Mahalla have been relegated from the Premier League, following a 1-1 draw at Harras Hodoud on Monday in the coastal city of Alexandria. El-Mahalla, 'The Peasants', join Mansoura and Assiut Petroleum in the Second Division after finishing 14th on 31 points. Ironically, Mahalla were the only team who managed to beat champions Ahly in the second half of the season. Wadi Degla, Semouha and Maqass have all been promoted to the Premier League. Ahmed Hassan Farag's equaliser to Ahmed Eid's early goal was never enough for Mohamed Radwan's side, who were hardly helped by the results of their rivals. Arab Contractors stunned Petrojet 3-0 to reach 34 points; el-Masri and Gouna, who played out a 1-1 draw in Port Said, have both finished on 34 points too. In related news, Zamalek boss Hossam Hassan said he wasn't concerned about renewing his contract with the club, as he was ready to offer his assistance for free. His twin brother Ibrahim (the White Citadel's football director) has previously said that no talks about a new contract have yet to be opened with the board. Even so, the Egyptian legend said he would never turn his back on Zamalek. "The board haven't offered me any extension yet, but I'll keep serving Zamalek anyway," Hassan said after Monday's 0-0 draw at Mansoura in the local league. "I love Zamalek and the great fans and I am ready to help the club, even if the board decide that I shouldn't stay." Hassan has enjoyed a wonderful campaign with Zamalek this season, taking the team from the bottom half of the table to second place following some impressive results. The 44-year-older, who has a contract until the end of the season, is very likely to win an extension after his significant impact on the team. A few weeks ago, Zamalek chairman Mamdouh Abbas admitted he made a mistake by not hiring Hassan from the start of the season. Meanwhile, in Suez, a brace from Ihab el-Masri and a goal from Reda el-Weashi lifted Arab Contractors over Petrojet in the Canal city of Suez, who only managed a fourth-place finish. In the Upper Egyptian city of Assiut, Ismaili snatched third place from Petrojet after beating Assiut 2-1 on Monday, courtesy of goals from Ahmed Ali and Abdullah el-Shahat. The Dervishes, who finished runners-up last season, have booked a place in the African Confederation Cup next term. Elsewhere, Police Union claimed fifth place with a 2-0 victory over Al-Geish in Cairo on Monday, thanks to goals from Samuel Kyere and Salah Ashour. Additional reporting from Al-Messa newspaper and FilGoal.com
