Ismaili's technical staff did not promise the fans that their team will win the Egyptian Premier League title, assistant coach Mahmoud Gaber said. The Dervishes extended their winless streak to three games after being held to a 1-1 draw by ENPPI in a rescheduled game on Sunday to mount further pressure on beleaguered coach Emad Soliman. They slipped to fourth place in the table, behind third-placed Zamalek on goal difference. Seven points separates them from leaders and bitter rivals Ahli, who are favorites to win a sixth consecutive league title. "When we became in charge of the team, we did not say we would win the title," Gaber told the post-match news conference. "However, we are looking to win our remaining games in the competition. We still have time to catch the leaders." Ismaili once again suffered from the lack of reliable strikers to stumble against ENPPI. Mohamed Mohsen Abou-Greisha and Ahmed Ali, who played upfront, could not trouble ENPPI's defense throughout the game. Ismaili have so far failed to find a replacement for Iraqi striker Mostafa Karim, who left them last summer. "Abou-Greisha is unlucky, but we will continue to support him," Gaber added.
