LIVE: Al Ahly v Ismaily | Egyptian League | Derby

14:00 ET Canada-USA | 20:00 CLT
27 October 2021
Borg Al Arab Stadium

Al Ahly open their Egyptian Premier League campaign on Wednesday with a tough test against an Ismaily side who dealt them a fatal blow in the title race last season as they seek to regain their crown.

When both sides last met in August, Ismaily snatched a 1-1 draw as Ahly dropped behind eventual champions and bitter Cairo rivals Zamalek with five matches remaining.

Coach Pitso Mosimane was under intense pressure, even though the South African had led the Red Devils to back-to-back African Champions League crowns.

Mosimane’s contract extension talks with Ahly stalled but the club said he was committed to staying until the end of his current deal next summer.

Ahly will be looking for a convincing start to the new campaign, a few days after they hammered Niger’s USGN 6-1 to qualify for the Champions League group stage with a 7-2 aggregate victory.

Ahly will be boosted by their new signings when they take on Ismaily, including South African winger Percy Tau, who joined from English Premier League side Brighton in the close season.

Tau had just recovered from an injury sustained while on international duty last month.

Ismaily, who finished 11th last term, kick off the new season without new coach Talaat Youssef, who was infected with COVID-19.