Ahmed Abdel Aziz says international break helped Smouha build momentum

Smouha manager Ahmed Abdel Aziz says the international break had a positive effect on his side after their 1-0 victory over Ghazl El Mahalla in the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League.

The result was Smouha’s second successive league win, following a 1-0 victory over Tala’ea El Gaish in the previous round.

“The international break made a positive difference,” Abdel Aziz told On Sport. “We tried to correct our mistakes during that period, although we have not yet reached our best level.”

Smouha controlled much of the first half and took the lead in the 34th minute. Badji headed home from a precise cross delivered from the left by Khaled El Ghandour.

The goal was the Senegalese forward’s first of the season in the Egyptian Premier League and Smouha’s sixth in the competition overall. It also took his league tally for Egyptian clubs المصري and Smouha to nine goals in 35 appearances.

Abdel Aziz said his team had performed well in both attack and defence before the interval but had failed to make the most of several opportunities.

“We played very well in the first half, both offensively and defensively, and created more than one chance that we did not take,” he said.

He acknowledged the difficulty of the league and stressed the importance of limiting errors.

“The league is very difficult, and winning three points is not easy,” Abdel Aziz added. “We have to reduce our mistakes. Our organisation is what makes the difference for us on the pitch.”

Smouha defended more deeply after the break as they protected their narrow advantage.

“We need to improve our transitions,” Abdel Aziz said. “In the second half, we played in a more defensive way.”

The victory lifted Smouha, known as the Blue Wave, to 13th place in the Egyptian Premier League with seven points.