Police Union 1-2 Al Ahly | Egyptian Premier League

Defending champions Ahly laboured to a 2-1 victory over Ittihad El-Shorta in their first Egyptian Premier League match following a lengthy stoppage due to January’s revolution.

Watch the goals

The Red Devils went ahead after four minutes when Mohamed Shawky capitalized on a mistake from El-Shorta keeper Mohamed Khalaf to head home a free kick.

Mohamed El-Fayoumi brought El-Shorta level nine minutes after the interval but classy playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika, who reached the league’s 100-goal milestone in January, converted a dubious penalty on 61 minutes to seal Ahly’s win.

It was the team’s first win after Portuguese tactician Jose returned to lead them for a third spell in January following two-hugely successful stints at the helm.

Jose’s first match in charge ended in a 1-1 draw with promoted Maqassa, few days before the eruption of a popular uprising that toppled former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and led to the suspension of the league for more than two months.

Ahly, who eye a seventh consecutive league crown, moved into third spot in the table with 29 points, three short of leaders Zamalek who could restore their six-point advantage over their arch-rivals if they beat Harras El-Hodoud on Thursday.

Ittihad El-Shorta, who aim to play African football next season, are fourth on 26 points.