Ali Maher, the head coach of the Ceramica Cleopatra team, expressed his satisfaction with the 1-1 draw against Al Ahly in the match that brought the two teams together in the first round of the second phase of the Egyptian Premier League.

During the press conference following the match, Maher confirmed that his team delivered a strong performance and was close to securing a victory, noting that missed opportunities prevented them from earning the three points. He added that the result was fair given the course of the game.

The Ceramica coach addressed the refereeing controversy, explaining that he prefers not to talk about officiating, but he pointed out a controversial play where a penalty was not awarded, while also affirming his respect for Al Ahly's capabilities as one of the continent's leading clubs.

Maher pointed out that his team is striving to achieve a clear goal this season, which is to be among the top four and compete for participation in continental tournaments, emphasizing that the project requires continuity and support to achieve the desired success.

He concluded his statements by expressing confidence in his players, emphasizing the importance of building a strong team character while developing the available elements. This comes as Ceramica seeks to continue its positive results in the league, having raised its tally to 39 points in fourth place, compared to Al Ahly's 41 points in third place.