Staff Reporter.
Al Ahly president Mahmoud El-Khatib made sure to address the Reds players after losing the league title to city rivals Zamalek.
Al Ahly have finished in second place behind bitter rivals Zamalek, who have secured their 13th league title and their first one in six years.
This is the first domestic trophy Pitso Mosimane competed in and lost as Al Ahly head coach after having lifted two consecutive Champions League trophies, the Egypt Cup and the Egyptian Super Cup.
After their 3-3 draw against El-Gouna, El-Khatib went on the pitch to commiserate the players after it was confirmed that the White Knights were crowned champions.
“I thank every player in the team and the coaching staff, this season has been very difficult because of the great stress. Not only physical stress, but mental stress due to the overlapping of tournaments,” El-Khatib told the players.
“The amount of tournaments Al Ahly played in during this period caused great mental and physical stress, and we, the club’s board of directors, appreciate and understand that and I am sure that the fans appreciate it as well. Al Ahly’s fans understand and are well aware of what is happening and will always be with you. You are the reason behind their happiness, but it’s their right.
“When Al Ahly loses a championship, we start over. The league is over, and we have to think about the future to make the fans happy and write a new history, and you have the ability to do so. There will be many tournaments to make these fans happy. We can’t deny the lack of focus from our part in some matches, but it needed to happen.
“You won the quadruple and the African Champions League twice in a row, and this is not easy. You won the bronze medal in the Club World Cup as well as the African Super Cup.
“A year and a half or two years ago, I told you that you are the best squad in Africa because I know your capabilities and this is my opinion so far. You must be proud of being in Al Ahly, as much as the club is proud of you. Hold your heads high.
Don’t let anyone steal your joy from you. The fans are cheering for you now because you are the reason behind their happiness and now you have to make them happy once again. The fans has always been the main reason behind our success since 1907. This is Al Ahly and this is our history.
“Al Ahly never gives up on its right, but it’s not the time to talk about this. We didn’t give you the appreciation you deserve and didn’t celebrate you after winning the African Champions League, the African Super Cup and the World Cup bronze. There was no time because of the amount of games, but we have to hold a celebration to honor you, which will happen soon after coordinating the dates of the upcoming events.
“You have to look ahead now and work to win the upcoming trophies and make the fans happy again,” he concluded.