Four years ago, a Manuel Jose-led Ahli side claimed a deserved 2-0 home victory over Algeria's JS Kabylie and went on to win the prestigious African Champions League accolade. The same fixture in 2010 produced a different outcome, a disappointing 1-1 draw at Cairo Stadium, which did coach Hossam Al-Badri no favor in his quest to win over the ever-demanding Ahli fans. Portuguese boss Jose left Ahli in the summer of 2009 after earning a cult status among the team's faithful for steering the Red Devils to a host of local and continental titles during a glorious five-year reign. His assistant Al-Badri succeeded him at the helm but struggled to emulate the fame of his charismatic predecessor despite winning the Egyptian Premier League title in his first season in charge. Ahli opened their new season in an unconvincing fashion, winning three times in their first eight games and scoring mere seven goals in the process. Roared on by an enthusiastic crowd at the 74,100-seat Cairo Stadium, the Cairo giants were expected to overcome Kabylie and edge closer to the semi finals of the competition they won a record six times. However, the star-studded side that featured the likes of Geddo, Mohamed Abou-Treika and Mohamed Barakat could not maintain their lead to draw 1-1 and leave the home fans disgruntled. The loyal supporters, who rarely attack any member of their own team, made their anger clear at the final whistle as they threw plastic bottles onto the pitch before insulting Al-Badri. Some groups on social networking website facebook were created immediately afterwards, calling for the sacking of the 50-year-old. "I'm saddened by the reaction of the fans," Al-Badri, who led Ahli to Egyptian Super Cup triumph at the expense of Harras Hodoud in the season's curtain-raiser, said after the game. "I take full responsibility for the result but we still have a strong chance of reaching the semi final." More Creative
Angry fans Jose was consistently praised for being creative despite being criticized by media for his fiery temper that cost him a warm relationship with Egyptian journalists in particular. His adventurous and courageous approaches to Ahli's games helped him unlock the tightest of defenses in domestic, continental and international competitions. Ahli beat Kabylie in 2006 with a starting line-up that included some fringe players like full-back Ahmed Sedik, who scored the opener in that game, and playmaker Amr Samaka. The team's 2010 version boast many stars but Al-Badri is yet to make the most of their capabilities. Ahli took the lead against Kabylie on Sunday via a header from Egypt forward Geddo but an unstoppable long-range volley from midfielder Saad Tedjar earned the visitors a share of spoils and a place among the last four. Al-Badri was heavily criticized for some unimaginative substitutions which left the fans ruffled. Taking off lone striker Mohamed Fadl and introducing another frontman in Osama Hosni and replacing playmaker Abou-Treika with central midfielder Ahmed Hassan were deemed ineffective tactical moves as Kabylie were reduced to ten men following the first-half dismissal of Sid Ali Yahia-Cherif. The most bizarre substitution was the one that saw central defender Ahmed Al-Sayed replace injured right-back Ahmed Fathi when Ahli needed to increase their attacking options to claim all three points. "I'm subjected to huge psychological pressure because the fans always compare me to Jose," Al-Badri was quoted as saying by CNN Arabic. "They draw such comparisons despite the fact that I won the league last season. I also injected new blood into the team." Many Ahli fans are recalling the glory days of Jose, who said he would remain an ardent supporter of the six-time African champions. The team he currently manages, Jeddah-based club Ittihad, moved top of the Saudi league with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Al-Hazm in the same day Ahli were held by Kabylie. The 64-year-old is unlikely to make a shock return to Ahli in the near future.
