Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has insisted that the Egyptian Premier League title race ‘is not yet over’ despite that the holders drew 1-1 with Ismaily on Wednesday evening to go two points behind leaders Zamalek.
The South African coach wore a brave face in a post-match press conference after seeing Al Ahly surrender their first-half lead earned courtesy of striker Mohamed Sherif 22nd minute goal to Ismaily’s second half equaliser from Fakhereedine Ben Youssef at Alexandria Stadium.
However, Mosimane said he was experienced enough to know that, with five games remaining for each of the title contenders, the race is far from finished.
“It’s not over yet. We have to focus and believe,” Mosimane told the club’s official website.
“I had to make changes during the game to score goals. Therefore, I changed a winger with a central midfielder. We lost two points and we know it’s difficult, but football doesn’t work like that.”
Mosimane was also in a similar situation in his last season at Mamelodi Sundowns who trailed Kaizer Chiefs until the last day of the 2019/2020 season when the tables turned and Sundowns won the title in dramatic fashion.
Al Ahly climbed down to second place on 65 points from 29 games with Zamalek going top again on 67 points from 29 games after they beat Al Ittihad 2-1 on Tuesday evening at Alexandria Stadium.
Mohamed Shafy and Youssef Obama scored for Zamalek whereas Khaled Kamar netted Al Ittihad’s consolation goal.
Al Ahly’s next match out of the remaining five is against Enppi on Saturday 14 August.
Other remaining matches for Al Ahly are against El Gaish, Al Masry, Aswan and El Gouna whereas Zamalek date Ismaily on Saturday before completing the run in against Waldi Delga, Ceramica Cleopatra, El Harby and National Bank.