Ismaili keeper Essam Al-Hadari will probably learn whether his hostilities with Ahli fans are dampened when he comes face to face with his former club for the first time on Saturday. An acrimonious exit from Ahli in February 2008, without the club's consent, landed Al-Hadari in hot water with the Red Devils' fans. An attempt by Al-Hadari to return to the Egyptian champions after a one-year spell with Swiss side Sion was met with firm refusal from the club, who vowed not to bring him back. The veteran goalie, widely regarded as the best in Africa, eventually joined Ahli's bitter rivals Ismaili in the close season. He will be hoping the state of unity among Egyptian fans, which was created following the incidents that marred last month's World Cup playoff between the Pharaohs and Algeria, will come to his aid when Ismaili host Ahli in the Egyptian Premier League.
Ahli, Ismaili: bitter rivalry "What's important is to put in a decent performance and try to win this vital match," Al-Hadari, who could be banned for violating his Ahli contract, said on his personal website. Ismaili and Ahli chairmen have also met before the anticipated tie to call on fans to behave well to avoid a repeat of last season's incidents. Last season's clash between both sides in Ismailia was disrupted by continuous crowd troubles, with dozens of fireworks and seats thrown onto the pitch as fans from both sides tried to unsettle the players. League leaders Ahli, who eye a sixth consecutive league triumph, are aiming to claim all three points away from home despite being hit by a string of injuries to their key players lately. They will be without attacking midfielders Mohamed Abou-Treika and Ahmed Hassan, Moataz Eno, Mohamed Barakat, Angolan winger Gilberto and stand-in defender Ahmed Al-Sayed.
Ismaili, in fourth place, are five points behind Ahli The Cairo giants will only be boosted by the return of strike duo Emad Meteb and Francis Doe. Ismaili, who struggle with just two recognized strikers in their squad, still miss long-term absentees Omar Gamal and Ahmed Khairi. Zamalek will be looking to snap a four-match winless streak and allay their relegation fears when they host Masri later in the day. The White Knights slipped to the danger zone for the first time in their history after a poor run of results. However, they are gradually improving under new coach Hossam Hassan, who eyes his first win after a defeat to Harras Hodoud and a draw with Ahli in the Cairo derby.
