Al Ahly continue to use more and more reserve players as the 2021-22 Egyptian Premier League season winds down and once again it was a struggle to find a breakthrough against Eastern Company on the road Wednesday evening. Ahly dominated the scoring opportunities but were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw, a result that will likely see them fall further behind top-2 sides Zamalek and Pyramids FC. In the other match on Wednesday, Talea’a El Gaish earned three points on the road with a 1-0 victory at ENPPI.
Despite Ahly having plenty more scoring opportunities than their hosts, Eastern Company did have a couple of good looks on the goal of Ahly backup goalkeeper Ali Lotfi. Firas Iffia came close in the 12th minute when his effort went just over the goal and Lotfi did just enough to redirect an inswinging free kick from Ahmed Meteb onto the post and out. Ahly struggled to finish with Hossam Hassan and his teammates in attack failing to do much with their chances.
Hassan, earning an extended look at the starting striker position that was not given to him earlier in the season under former Ahly manager Pitso Mosimane, failed to take advantage with more missed attempts in the second half. Lotfi had to be at his best to deny a powerful header from Eastern Company’s Emad Mayhoub in the 59th minute and the match fizzled out before ending scoreless even after Mohammed Saleh’s late red card for the hosts.
Highlights are below from Ahly’s draw as well as the winning goal in El Gaish’s victory at ENPPI.
Eastern Company 0-0 Al Ahly
ENPPI 0-1 El Gaish
