EGYPT DOMESTIC NEWS & SCORES

Sensing pressure abroad, Ah_ahly coach asks for help at home

CAIRO (AFP/Yahoo) - Coach Manuel Jose will beg Egyptian soccer chiefs for help this week as Al-Ahly battle to keep the African Champions League trophy.

The 'Red Devils' of Cairo were surprisingly held 1-1 at home by surprise packets Club Sportif Sfaxien of Tunisia Sunday in the first leg of the final despite the backing of 80,000 fanatical supporters.

And as Portugal-born Jose surveyed the wreckage after a match his team were expected to win by several goals, he pleaded for a weary, injury-hit squad to be given a break from domestic action.

Ahly want fixtures against Al-Masry and ENPPI postponed so they can concentrate on the winner-takes-all showdown with Sfaxien on November 11 at the 60,000-capacity Rades Stadium on the outskirts of Tunis.

"Al-Ahly are representing Egypt and not just the club. I am in trouble due to injuries. Look at our bench and you'll notice most of the substitutes are young players," Jose told reporters Monday.

"We have been sufferng from injuries since mid-year and the Egyptian football authorities should assist us because our players are under continuous pressure with one major match after another.

"I cannot prepare the squad properly if we have to fulfil national championship fixtures against Al-Masry and ENPPI before travelling to Tunisia," added Jose.

The Portuguese coach who chews gum with the same intensity as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was also upset by the first-leg refereeing of Gambian Modou Sowe.

"There is always poor refereeing in the Champions League, but the African Football Confederation (CAF) does nothing about it,' complained the two-time Champions League-winning coach.

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