Ahli signed a host of players last summer but still suffered from lack of squad depth that dearly cost them during a crucial stage of the season. The Red Devils, Egypt's undisputed champions for the past four years, risk losing a league title they thought was all but guaranteed. Their three successive draws against Ghazl Mahalla, Zamalek and ENPPI helped Ismaili catch them at the summit with three matches remaining. Ahli's regular stars looked fragile and tired and several of them were injured during a stage where summer signings, who have played a bit-part role since their arrival, should have deputized. But that was not the case. Angolan striker Flavio Amado, Manuel Jose's preferred choice upfront, missed Ahli's 2-2 draw with ENPPI due to automatic suspension. Hani Al-Egeizi, who joined Ahli in the close season, stepped in but failed to impress and was eventually substituted in the second half. When the former Baladeya man left the pitch, Portuguese coach Jose opted to play without a recognized striker. It seemed that he no longer trusted the other front-men at his disposal, most of whom arrived last summer. "It is only natural that Ahli's substitutes fail to perform well. They were not ready to play because they were just benchwarmers," Modern Sport analyst and former Ahli star Taha Ismail said. Jose might take the lion's share of responsibility for Ahli's inability to make the most out of their new signings because he rarely hand-picks a player himself.
Jose relationship with Moawad not always warm The former Sporting Lisbon boss just asks Ahli officials to bring him a new defender or a striker for instance, according to the club's marketing director Adli Al-Qaeyi. Such system may succeed at certain clubs but for Ahli, who like most Egyptian clubs do not hire scouts, it is too risky to depend on agents to bring in new players. The result is that the likes of Al-Egeizi, Hussein Yasser, Hussein Ali and Ahmed Hassan Farag did not convince Jose they were good enough to earn a regular spot or even play an effective substitute role. Substitutes' Anger Such policy not only affected Ahli's results but it also incurred the wrath of the Cairo giants' so-called fringes. A dressing room that is renowned for being quiet and disciplined became very unsettled. Left-back Sayed Moawad, who joined from Turkish side Trabzonspor, and out-of-favor striker Farag made their feelings clear after being snubbed for many games. "I can't bear it (staying on the bench) anymore. I'm not used to having such a peripheral role," Moawad said last month. Farag added: "When I watch my goals with Ghazl Mahalla I bemoan my current position at Ahli." Egyptian-born Qatari winger Yasser also voiced his displeasure at Jose for not giving him time to prove his worth and said he would leave at the end of the season. Jose and Ahli's football committee might have a rethink over their transfer policy before the summer transfer window to avoid enduring a similar experience next term.
