El Qanah boss Abdel Nasser Mohamed hails ‘perfect’ win over Ceramica Cleopatra

El Qanah manager Abdel Nasser Mohamed said he could not have written a better script for his side’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Ceramica Cleopatra in the opening round of the Egyptian Premier League.

The newly promoted side secured all three points with a late winning goal, despite being reduced to 10 players after a red card. The result gave El Qanah an exciting start to life in the division against a Ceramica Cleopatra team which finished fourth last season.

“If I had written the script myself for El Qanah’s match against Ceramica Cleopatra, it would not have been better than what happened,” Mohamed said in an interview with Modern channel.

He said his players had initially struggled with the occasion, particularly because most of the starting line-up had come through promotion from the second tier.

“There was some fear in my team during the first half, especially because most of the line-up consisted of players who had been promoted from the second division,” Mohamed said.

Ceramica Cleopatra were able to take advantage during the match, but Mohamed said his players improved after conceding and ultimately found a way to complete the comeback.

“At half-time, I told the El Qanah players that we had played better after conceding the goal, and that we had to focus on that and wait for God’s kindness. That is what happened in the end,” he added.

The match also featured three penalties in total. El Qanah were awarded one, while Ceramica Cleopatra received two.

Mohamed said the closeness of his relationship with the squad had helped him prepare the team for the challenge. He added that he was staying at El Qanah Club’s accommodation so he could remain alongside his players.

“I live in El Qanah Club’s accommodation so that I can be among the players. I have great confidence in them, and there is still a long way to go in the league,” he said.

The manager admitted that the winning goal, scored in the closing stages, had produced an overwhelming reaction, particularly given the numerical disadvantage his team faced.

“I cannot describe how I felt after scoring a goal in the dying moments to snatch victory against Ceramica Cleopatra, especially after we had suffered a numerical disadvantage because of the dismissal,” Mohamed said.

The victory means El Qanah, newcomers to the Egyptian Premier League, begin the campaign with three points. Ceramica Cleopatra will look to respond when they face Al Ittihad on Friday in the second round.

El Qanah will also be in action on Friday, when they play El Gouna in the same round.