Ahli failed to give new coach Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafi 'Zizo' a winning start after being held to a 1-1 draw at bottom side Smouha in the Egyptian Premier League on Thursday. The Red Devils appointed Zizo as a temporary boss after Hossam Al-Badri handed in his resignation following the team's disappointing 3-1 defeat at bitter rivals Ismaili last month. An expected easy test against Smouha gave Zizo the chance to kick off his short tenure in the best possible way but Ahli let him down after failing to convert several clear-cut opportunities in both halves. Smouha claimed a stunning lead seven minutes after the restart following a superb individual effort by Ghanaian striker Godwin Attram. Ahli piled on pressure to avoid an embarrassing defeat and managed to restore parity through a poacher's header from playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika. However, Smouha held on for a remarkable draw against defending champions Ahli, who are eyeing a seventh consecutive league title but are facing stiff challenge from arch rivals Zamalek. Zamalek, who face Ittihad later on Thursday, top the table on 24 points, five ahead of fifth-placed Ahli who played a game less. Gaps on the left Ahli had the upper hand in terms of goalscoring chances in the first half but the presence of natural attacking midfielder Afrotto on the left flank allowed the hosts to launch dangerous counter attacks.
Afotto, playing as a wingback after Zizo reverted to a traditional 3-5-2 formation, failed to accomplish his defensive duties to give Smouha's midfielder Ahmed Hamoudi too much space. Hamoudi unsettled Ahli's defense and forced a fine save from goalkeeper Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud midway through the first half. Afrotto was influential upfront, however, as he went close to breaking the deadlock after an exchange of passes with Abou-Treika but his shot on the turn missed the target. Central midfielder Hossam Ghaly saw a low left-foot shot goes just wide before Afortto had a curling effort tipped over by keeper Mohamed Al-Arabi few minutes before the break. Smouha scored against the run of play on 52 minutes to silence the crowd, most of whom were supporting Ahli although the match was staged in Alexandria. Attram superbly skipped past three challengers on the edge of the area before lifting the ball over Aboul-Saoud and into the net. But Abou-Treika leveled the score three minutes later when he rose unmarked to powerfully head Moataz Eno's wayward shot past Al-Arabi. A late onslaught by Ahli did not pay dividends after the Cairo giants once again suffered from the lack of a reliable striker. Mohamed Barakat sent a free header over the bar with the goal at his mercy while sweeper Mohamed Samir rattled the post with a powerful header at the near post.
