A new era started at Egyptian club Al Ahly following the departure of former manager Pitso Mosimane this week and under the watch of caretaker coach Sami Komsan the Cairo giants defeated lowly Eastern Company 4-1 in Egyptian Premier League play on Wednesday. Ahly jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the hour mark and the result was never in doubt against the league’s last placed side, moving last season’s runners-up to within four points of rivals Zamalek with three games still to make up on the defending champions.
Komsan selected several younger players in the starting lineup including midfielder Ahmed Kouka, defender Karim Fouad and third-string goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir who made only his second league start. Veteran Ramy Rabia took the captain’s armband for the match and 29-year-old provided the pass to give the hosts the opening goal in the 25th minute. Rabia’s long ball picked out Hussein El Shahat who timed his run perfectly to receive the ball beyond the defense before lifting his finish over Eastern Company goalkeeper Ahmed Daador and in off the post.
Only a few minutes later full back Mahmoud Wahid drove to the end line and was tripped up in the penalty area by Eastern Company’s Saber Aschraf, leading to a spot kick that was confidently dispatched by Taher Mohamed to double Ahly’s lead. In the 58th minute Ahly made it 3-0 courtesy of a turnover by the Eastern Company defense that allowed Ahmed Abdelkader to bear down on goal before sending a low shot past Daador. After a consolation strike from Firas Iffia to draw one back for the visitors, Ahly got their fourth in second half stoppage time when Salah Mohsen surged past a defender and crossed for fellow substitute Walid Soliman to head in.
Video of the goals are below.
