Ahly made light of a variety of problems plaguing their campaign to maintain their domestic supremacy with an eighth successive Egyptian Premier League title in the first league competition to be completed in three years.

The Red Devils prevailed with a one-goal advantage over surprise package Smouha, who could not break down the reigning champions in a goalless draw in Monday's title decider at Cairo Stadium as the final four-team mini-league phase came to an end.

Both sides finished level on seven points but a goal difference of plus-five favoured Ahly, who have dominated Egypt's premier domestic competition from 2005 to 2011, after which two consecutive seasons were called off due to the political turmoil that gripped Egypt following the 2011 uprising.

The Cairo giants, Egypt and Africa's undisputed kings, took their tally of league titles to 37, maintaining a huge gap over bitter rivals Zamalek, who have won the last of their 11 titles in 2004.

A famous Ahly saying that implies the club will never be affected by any absences proved true, with a bunch of youngsters and inexperienced players steering the wheel in the crucial playoff under caretaker manager Fathi Mabrouk, who took over at the club following the sacking of Mohamed Youssef a few months ago.

Youssef's departure, combined with a string of injuries which hit the likes of Walid Soliman and Abdallah El-Said, looked to have dented their chances of winning the league but they still emerged victorious with wins over Petrojet and Zamalek and a draw with Smouha.

Smouha still made history though, having finished as runners-up to qualify for the African Champions League for the first time in their history. Zamalek will play in the Confederation Cup after beating Petrojet 2-0.

In a dull match played behind closed doors due to lingering security concerns in Egypt, both Ahly and Smouha finished with ten men after Hossam Ashour and Tarek Hamed were sent off for second bookable offenses.

Cautious approach

Chances were at a premium in a drab first-half marked by a cautious approach from Smouha, which was largely inexplicable given their need to win to spring a major surprise in Cairo.

Ahly's liveliest performer was 17-year-old playmaker Ramadan Sobhi, whose eye-catching displays drew comparison with club icon Mohamed Abou-Treika.

He was the architect of Ahly's best first-half chance, skipping past a couple of challengers in the middle before releasing Mahmoud Trezeguet with a threaded pass. However, the central midfielder dithered on the ball to allow Smouha's Ahmed Okka to clear the danger.

Smouha came to life in the latter stages of the first half, with Ahmed Hammoudi's angled free-kick tipped over by keeper Sherif Ekramy and Alaa Ali's shot on the turn from inside the area going over the bar.

The second period was no different, with both sides trading tame efforts.

Smouha had two chances though which would have given them a stunning victory. Central defender Ahmed Okka sent a free header over the bar following a floated free-kick and striker Hani El-Egeizi grazed the post with a volley in the dying minutes.

Ahly held firm to seal what now seems more of a customary triumph. 

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