Al-Ahly Clinches Egyptian League Title for the 44th Time

Al-Ahly secured their 44th Egyptian Football League title and their second consecutive championship after defeating Smouha 1-0 in a postponed match from the 24th round, held last night at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria.

The reigning champions extended their points tally to 81 after claiming their 20th consecutive victory, locking in the title with two matches remaining in the league.

Substitute Mohamed Magdy “Afsha” scored the decisive goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time in the second half, delivering a win that not only bolstered Al-Ahly’s record for consecutive victories but also sealed the league title after a fierce contest with Pyramids FC, who sit on 73 points with only two matches left. Al-Ahly, with three matches still to play, remains untouchable at the top, regardless of the remaining results.

A key moment in the match occurred in the 12th minute when Yasser Ibrahim saved Al-Ahly from conceding a goal. After the ball reached Abu Bakr Al-Yadi with the goal unguarded by Mohamed El-Shenawy, Al-Yadi’s shot was cleared off the line by Ibrahim before it crossed into the net.

Al-Ahly applied high pressure on Smouha throughout the match, frequently winning the ball. Hani Suleiman, Smouha’s goalkeeper, made crucial saves, including a one-on-one shot from Hussein El-Shahat in the 15th minute. Suleiman later repeated his heroics with another save against El-Shahat half an hour later.

Similarly, Akram Tawfiq won possession and passed to Imam Ashour, but Amro Qalawa intervened strongly to stop the opportunity, leading to a goalless draw at the end of the first half.

After the break, Al-Ahly’s Swiss coach, Marcel Koller, introduced Mohamed Magdy “Afsha” and Omar Kamal Abdel Wahed for Imam Ashour and Reda Selim. Later, he brought on Karim Walid “Nedved” and Ahmed Abdel Qader in place of El-Shahat and Akram Tawfiq, intensifying the search for a winning goal.

In the sixth minute of added time, Omar Kamal Abdel Wahed delivered a cross into the penalty area, which Afsha controlled on his chest before firing a powerful shot past El Hani Suleiman, securing the victory for Al-Ahly and ensuring the prestigious title returned to the storied club.