The Cairo giants claimed their fifth consecutive league title on Sunday after beating Ismaili 1-0 in a decisive playoff, after both teams finished the season as joint leaders.

Experienced defender Shadi referred that Ahli's hectic schedules in the past five years resulted in the players' fatigue.

"We had to wait till tonight to lift the league trophy," he said after the game, which took place at Max Stadium.

"Suffering from fatigue in these days is normal, we are not exactly machines.

"We have been playing for the last five years and won numerous titles, and that why we are running out of gas."

Shadi is convinced the victory over the Dervishes was the best response to the 'intensive criticism they have been facing for quite a while'.

Several pundits thought the six-time African champions wouldn't win the domestic title this time around.

"It was a good game, and I guess that we have silenced all the doubters who were saying we are nothing more than a bunch of ageing players," the 31-year-old said.