After losing hope of lifting the Egyptian Premier League trophy, Al Ahly still fail in their race with Pyramids FC to finish second as the youthful-looking Ahly side were held to a 0-0 draw by Ismaily on Sunday, being their second consecutive goalless stalemate.

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Chances were few and far between in a bore affair played at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium, a neutral venue that hosts the duels of both sides due to security concerns.

The Red Devils risk finishing out of the top two for the first time in 39 years. They lie third in the table with 64 points, four behind second-placed Pyramids FC with three matches remaining.

Ahly’s perennial Cairo rivals Zamalek, who have 75 points, will be crowned champions for a second straight season if Pyramids fail to beat Future FC on Monday.

Although Ahly coach Ricardo Soares might be excused for having to play with a bunch of youngsters in accordance with a board decision, the draw will fuel doubts over his future as the Portuguese arrived less than two months ago but could not spur a revival as the team lost all hopes to compete for the league title after a series of disappointing results.

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It should be noted that the game was preceded by ugly scenes when a contingent of Ismaily fans hurled stones at a bus carrying Ahly’s supporters. The Premier League vowed to take “all measures” to punish those responsible for the incident.