Ahli, without a host of key players, failed to maintain their unbeaten streak in the Egyptian Premier League after losing 2-0 to a spirited Ghazl Mahalla side in a tense affair on Monday. Mahalla lived up to their reputation of being one of Ahli's stubborn opponents with a convincing victory over the title holders as the league resumed action following a long break, during which Egypt won a seventh Nations Cup title. The hosts were awarded a penalty after nine minutes when Ahli's right-back Ahmed Ali needlessly pushed Abdul-Hamid Shabana, who caused the Red Devils all sorts of problems throughout the game. New signing Mahmoud Al-Attar 'Jackson', who joined from second-division side Olympic in the January transfer window, converted the ensuing spot kick to send the home fans into ecstasy. To rub salt into the wound, Ahli had Egypt defender Wael Gomaa dismissed for elbowing Shabana but numbers were evened up on the stroke of halftime when Mahalla's Emad Osman was sent off for a second bookable offense. Mahalla striker Ahmed Farag came back to haunt his old side with another goal after the interval. Ahli, who missed the likes of Emad Meteb, Sayed Moawad, Gilberto and Ahmed Hassan, pointed the finger at referee Omar Fahim for their first defeat of the season. "We always face difficulties when he face Mahalla away from home," coach Hossam Al-Badri said after the game. "The referee also played a role in our loss. He awarded Mahalla a controversial penalty and was greatly affected by the offensive chants of their fans against him. "Those chants prompted him to favor Mahalla on some occasions." Ahli's slip allowed Ismaili, who finished runners up last season, to move to within four points of their bitter rivals with a 2-1 victory over Mansoura. A penalty from right-back Ahmed Sedik and a trademark header from Egypt defender Moatasem Salem either side of the interval ignited the title race. The Dervishes played without veteran keeper Essam Al-Hadari, who has been missing training since winning the Nations Cup with the Pharaohs last week. Petrojet slipped to third spot, two points behind Ismaili, after slumping to a 1-0 defeat to Ittihad, who are enjoying a superb run under Brazilian manager Carlos Cabral. Egypt forward Mohamed Nagi 'Geddo' failed to replicate his Nations Cup heroics and was replaced in the second half, making way for striker Mohamed Al-Morsi who scored the winner.
Ismaili defeat Mansoura to revive title hopes January Signings Newly-arrived players made the difference in the majority of games as they sought to prove their worth. Masri gave new coach Theo Buecker a winning debut with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Military Production. Talented playmaker Abdul-Salam Nagah, who joined from Harras Hodoud, put Masri ahead eight minutes past the hour mark but Production looked to have secured a share of spoils with a 92nd-minute goal from Sameh Adrous. However, Malian central defender Eliassou Issiaka, another January signing who arrived from Stade Malien, scored with the very last kick of the match to give Masri their first win since October last year. "I was surprised to see a promoted team like Production play that well," German coach Buecker, who also had spells with Ittihad, Ismaili and Zamalek in Egypt, said. "It seems that the Egyptian league has become much stronger." Bottom side Asyut Petroleum also needed the help of a new signing to claim their first three points this season after a goal from former Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Abdullah helped them to a 1-0 victory over Gouna. Gaish ended a three-match winless streak after striker Mostafa Gaafar, who joined from ENPPI, inspired a 2-1 comeback win over Arab Contractors. The poor form of Egyptian Cup holders Harras Hodoud continued with a 2-1 defeat to Police Union – their fifth successive match without a win. Zamalek, who played their first game without strike duo Mido and Amr Zaki, grabbed a fourth consecutive victory under coach Hossam Hassan after easing to a 2-0 win over ENPPI. Despite the comfortable win, Hassan said the African Cup of Nations had an adverse affect on the White Knights. "I think that it cost us a player like Mido, who left for England because he was devastated to be out of the Egypt squad," he said. "Shikabala was also not OK when he returned from international duty because he wanted to play a more important role in the victory. "As for the other Zamalek players who were with the national team; it was important to get them out of the atmosphere of the Nations Cup, because they need to focus on the league now."
