An Ismaili stumble in Friday's Egyptian Premier League game away to surprise package and current leaders Police Union could seal the fate of Dutch coach Mark Wotte. The success-starved club made a promising start to their domestic campaign, winning their first three games but a sudden dip in form incurred the wrath of their supporters. Ismaili exited the African Champions League after finishing third in Group B behind bitter rivals Ahli and JS Kabylie of Algeria. They also failed to win their last two league games, losing against Arab Contractors and drawing with promoted MCDR to miss out on the chance of becoming early pace-setters. Ismaili strikers are misfiring, the midfielders are hardly providing the spark required and the defenders commit costly errors. Wotte shoulders the blame for all that, the coastal club believe. "There have been some tactical errors during the match against MCDR which resulted in the draw. The excuse of fatigue is unacceptable because this is his responsibility as well," Ismaili vice-president Hammad Mousa said. Wotte took over at the club in the summer for a second stint after Emad Soliman, under whom Ismaili finished third in the league last season, resigned as the Dervishes' coach.
Cabral is also under fire He faces a tough task to remain in his job though as Police are enjoying a fine run. Talaat Youssef's side, which do not boast any renowned players, earned plaudits for their solid defensive displays. Wotte will have a fully-fit squad to choose from with the exception of long-term absentees Omar Gamal and Hosni Abd-Rabou. Ittihad coach Carlos Cabral could also lose his job if his side slipped up against Military Production. The Brazilian was retained by Ittihad after a decent season last term but the Alexandria-based club's start to the new campaign was anything but satisfying. They lie 12th in the 16-team table after collecting just six points from as many games. Struggling duo Wadi Degla and Gouna, who are 13th and 14th respectively, will be looking to move away from the danger zone when they meet in Friday's early kick off.
