Al Ahly kept their title hopes on winning the Egyptian league alive after claiming an easy 1-0 win over bottom side Maqassa at Military Academy stadium in Cairo on Wednesday.
Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng scored the winner in the 23 rd minute, giving his side a deserved win.
After playing 26 matches Ahly are now third in the league table with 54 points, six behind leaders Zamalek who played one match more.
Pyramids FC who defeated NBE earlier in the day remain second with 59 points from 27 games.
Ahly tried to gain an early lead but they needed to wait until the 23 rd minute that saw Aliou Dieng score the winner with a well-placed shot from outside the area.
The hosts were close on scoring the equaliser just before the break but their goal was disallowed due to an offside.
Ahly keeper Mohamed El-Shennawi picked-up a head injury and he was replaced in the second half debut.
This second half was a boring affair as Ahly players were content with their lead, while Maqassa players appeared uncapable to level the score despite their dominance in terms of possession in many parts of this half.
They had another goal disallowed in the dying minutes due to offside.
Ahly will face Arab Contractors in a rescheduled game on Saturday.
