Jess Thorup praises Al Ahly’s dedication while Ali Maher criticizes refereeing decisions

Al Ahly’s tough battle with Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Super Cup semi-final ended in a 2-1 victory, propelling the Red Giants into the tournament’s final.

Danish coach Jess Thorup applauded his squad’s determination: “I thank the fans for their support and congratulate them on this great win it’s a big step towards the title. We played against a tough opponent,” he said in the post-match conference.

Thorup stressed the importance of his team’s mental and physical strength, singling out the efforts of the players to fight for victory.

Thorup highlighted: “I saw dedicated players fighting on the pitch for the win and to reach the final and make the fans happy.” He added, “Our goal is to win the title in the final match on Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Ceramica’s manager Ali Maher expressed disappointment over certain refereeing calls. “I only want fairness for my team. I believe some key moments were not judged correctly and that affected the game,” he remarked.

Maher appreciated his players’ energy and focus but pointed out that “justice in officiating is all we ask for.” The outcome reinforced Al Ahly’s winning record against Ceramica, while Maher urged for improvement in future matches.