Ahli are just five points short of winning a third successive Egyptian League title following an easy 2-0 home victory over ENPPI on Friday. Skipper Shadi Mohamed opened the score line after just two minutes from the penalty spot and Mohamed Barakat doubled the lead at the 57th minute. Ahli star Mohamed Abou-Treika was introduced in the 78th minute to play his first match since he was injured in a league game against Asyut Petroleum in January. The Red Devils are 12 points clear on top of the table and need a maximum of five points from their next five matches to lift the trophy. ENPPI lie sixth with 33 points, two adrift of fourth-placed Ghazl Mahalla. In the first action of the game, Angolan international striker Flavio Amado dribbled in the area but was brought down by Amr Fahim as referee had no choice but to give the penalty. Shadi converted it to give the hosts an early lead. In the 19th minute, Emad Al-Nahas could have doubled the score with a powerful header but it just skimmed the bar.
The pace of the game slowed down and the first half, not one of the best from both sides, ended in a slender 1-0 lead for Ahli. But the Reds lost the efforts of their winger Islam Al-Shater who suffered a groin muscle injury and it seems he'll be out for a while. The second half was much better from Ahli who seemed determined to increase their lead. Midfielders Anis Boujelbene and Mohamed Shawki were now moving forward to bring their support to the strikers. A beautiful combination between Flavio, Emad Meteb and Boujelbene ended with the ball in the feet of Barakat but his shot went over the bar. Meteb's excellent free kick was cruelly denied by the bar before Barakat broke the deadlock in the 57th minute. Meteb laid off the ball inside the area to the onrushing Barakat, who fired a powerful drive into the top corner of the net. A goal that seemed to blow up the Reds potentials as the flow of the game was intensified on ENPPI's goalie, Nader Al-Sayed who had to make some excellent stretches just to keep the score as it is. A powerful header from Abou-Treika, shots from Meteb and Ahmed Al-Sayed were denied by the former Ahli keeper.
