Ahli's 12-match winning streak came to an end after they surrendered their lead to allow Telecom Egypt snatch a precious 1-1 draw in the Egyptian League on Saturday. Veteran defender Emad Al-Nahhas headed Ahli in front early in the game but substitute Nasser Hassanein secured a share of spoils eight minutes from time. Ahli remain in charge of the league table with 58 points, 21 clear of second-placed Ismaili, who have a game in hand. It is just a matter of weeks for the Cairo giants to claim a fourth successive league title. Telecom Egypt lie third from bottom on 20 points, one adrift of the safety zone as they fight the likes of Baladeya, Suez Cement and Tersana to survive in the top flight. Portuguese coach Manuel Jose handed youngster Mahmoud Samir a rare start after striker Emad Meteb was omitted from the match's squad for an undisclosed reason. The playmaker played alongside star Mohamed Abou-Treika to support lone striker Flavio Amado. Ahli needed just 12 minutes to break the visitors' resistance and open the scoring.
Al-Nahhas grabbed Ahli's lead Al-Nahhas rose at the near post to head home Gilberto's right-wing corner after shrugging off a poor challenge from keeper Samir Ashour. Telecom Egypt pushed forward afterwards searching for the equalizer, unlike Tersana who gave up so early when they conceded the opener against Ahli last week. In the 13th minute, giant striker Magdi Abdul-Atti connected with a cross from Nigerian winger Abdul-Wahed Abdul-Aziz to head just wide of the post. Ahli dominated in terms of possession afterwards but looked overly-content with their narrow lead as they rarely threatened Ashour. In the 34th minute, Abou-Treika met Flavio's cross on the edge of the area with a splendid volley that went just wide. Telecom Egypt were by far the better side in the second-half and looked determined to level the score. They were rewarded for their battling display after Hassanein notched the equalizer with eight minutes remaining. He controlled a short pass inside the area, spun around his marker Mohamed Samir and hit a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
