Mohamed Halim prioritises Professional League campaign over Al Ahly cup tie

Mohamed Halim says El Sekka El Hadid’s upcoming Professional League fixture against Tanta is more important than their Egypt Cup meeting with Al Ahly.

El Sekka El Hadid reached the last 32 of the Egypt Cup after beating Al Nasr 1-0, with Sami Abdel Sattar scoring the only goal. The victory set up a tie against Al Ahly, the African champions.

“I am pleased that we beat Al Nasr through Sami Abdel Sattar’s goal and reached the last 32, where we will face Al Ahly,” Halim told FilGoal.com.

However, the El Sekka El Hadid manager said his immediate attention was firmly on the league, with the match against Tanta scheduled for Friday.

“The match against Al Ahly is historic, between Egypt’s oldest club and Al Ahly, the African champions,” he said. “But my focus at the moment is on our Professional League match against Tanta next Friday.”

Halim said he had warned his players not to allow the cup tie to distract them from their promotion ambitions.

“I spoke to the players and made it clear that the league match is more important than the cup game,” he added.

“For example, Telecom Egypt knocked Al Ahly out of the Egypt Cup last season, but then lost in the league and missed the chance to compete for promotion.”

Halim plans to rotate squad

Halim also referred to his own experience with Bourfoad last season, when a strong cup performance against National Bank of Egypt was followed by difficulties in the league.

“Last season, I performed well with Bourfoad against National Bank of Egypt in the Egypt Cup, but we stumbled in the league,” he said. “So the league match is more important than the cup if you want to achieve promotion.”

Despite placing greater emphasis on the league, Halim acknowledged the opportunities cup matches can provide for players.

“Cup matches give players considerable exposure because of the large support, television coverage and the attention of agents,” he said.

He also confirmed that he intends to use the Al Ahly fixture to give playing time to members of his squad who have featured less regularly in league matches.

“I make a point of using players who do not take part often in league games during cup matches, and I will continue with that policy against Al Ahly,” Halim said.

Halim has previously faced Al Ahly as a manager while in charge of Haras El Hodoud. On that occasion, Al Ahly, managed by Rene Weiler, won 2-0.