Al Masry boss Emad El Nahhas says victory over Smouha masks performance concerns

Al Masry head coach Emad El Nahhas says his side are still some way short of the level he expects, despite opening their Egyptian Premier League campaign with a victory over Smouha.

Al Masry secured a 1-0 win at New Suez Stadium in the first round of the league, but El Nahhas admitted the result was more encouraging than the team’s overall display.

Speaking at his post-match news conference, El Nahhas thanked the supporters who backed the team throughout the game.

“I would like to thank Al Masry’s great fans, who supported us strongly from the stands as they always do,” he said.

The manager said the opening fixture of a league season often brings its own pressures and complications, while stressing that collecting three points was especially important.

“The first match in the league always has different considerations,” he said. “The performance was not at the required technical level, but the victory was extremely important, and we will introduce the new players gradually.”

El Nahhas also said the changes made during the match had produced the response he had been seeking, in a game he expected to be closely contested.

“Al Masry’s matches are always full of competitiveness, and our changes during the game achieved the desired results,” he said.

The coach praised the club’s leadership for the backing it has given the squad, singling out chairman Kamel Abu Ali and the board.

“I thank Mr Kamel Abu Ali and the club’s board of directors for their full support of the team,” El Nahhas added.

He also provided an update on the adaptation of new arrivals Al-Zaeri and Tal, explaining that both players are still becoming familiar with Egyptian football. Their integration into the squad, he said, will take time.

“Al-Zaeri and Tal are still getting to know the Egyptian league, and their integration with their team-mates will require more time,” El Nahhas said.

The manager also expressed strong faith in Salah Mohsen and Mondher Tameen, while again highlighting the influence of the supporters on the team’s performance.

“My confidence in Salah Mohsen and Mondher Tameen is extremely great,” he said. “Al Masry’s fans were present in large numbers, which is the biggest motivation for the players to achieve victory, and we expect more and more from them.”

Al Masry will next play Al Mokawloon Al Arab in the second round of the league. The match will take place at New Suez Stadium on Thursday.