Wail Gomaa says Eastern Company ENPPI helped Al Ahly complete comeback

Wail Gomaa praised Al Ahly’s victory over Eastern Company ENPPI but admitted he was unhappy with the team’s slow and unfocused start to the match.

Al Ahly recovered from a three-goal deficit to win 3-2 in their opening Egyptian Premier League fixture, with Gomaa describing the result as valuable but warning that the performance at the beginning of the game must improve.

“It was a difficult match, especially because we started badly and did not enter the game with focus,” Al Ahly’s director of football told On Sport. “We played many wrong passes and the lack of concentration affected us.”

Gomaa said Eastern Company ENPPI’s defensive positioning helped Al Ahly regain control after possession was lost.

“Eastern Company ENPPI helped us with its defensive positioning after losing the ball, and we achieved what we wanted, which was the victory,” he added.

The visitors had taken a two-goal lead through Ali Ehab and Mohamed Essam before Al Ahly turned the match around. Marwan Attia, Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” and Mohamed Magdy “Afsha” were the scorers for Al Ahly.

Gomaa said the match should serve as an early warning for the Egyptian champions as they begin the new campaign.

“Today’s match is a good lesson for us at the start of the season and we will try to benefit from it,” he said.

“I am happy with the result but not happy with the start.”

The victory was Al Ahly’s second successive win against ENPPI, following a run of five consecutive matches in all competitions in which they had failed to beat their opponents.

It was also the first match in charge for Al Ahly manager Houcine Ammouta. The game saw the side recover after falling three goals behind and move into the group of teams leading the league.

Al Ahly will next face ZED on Friday in the second round of the Egyptian Premier League. ENPPI will host Wadi Degla on the same day.

Gomaa also addressed his return to Al Ahly and said he remained ready to serve the club whenever required.

“Returning to Al Ahly? I am at the club’s disposal and I am happy with the fans’ support for us,” he said.