Mohamed Barakat was also on the scoresheet as Ahli needed just 15 minutes to secure a commanding lead.

Ittihad pulled one back through a goal from January arrival Mohamed Ragab nine minutes before the break but Ahli held onto their lead to claim all three points.

The Red Devils, who seek to win a fifth consecutive title, lead second-placed Ismaili by seven points but the latter still have a game in hand.

Ittihad, who are enjoying a fine form under coach Taha Basri, remain sixth in the 16-team table on 33 points.

Abou-Treika Spark

Abou-Treika made his first start since recovering from the ankle injury he sustained in Ahli's 2-2 draw with Petrojet last month.

Ahli sorely lacked his presence during the past few games, finding it hard to break down stubborn opponents without his spark.

The former Tersana man played in his favorite position behind lone striker Flavio and was accompanied by versatile midfielder Barakat.

Abou-Treika needed 11 minutes to open the scoring when Ittihad keeper Al-Hani Soliman failed to deal with his right-footed free-kick from the edge of the area.

Barakat extended Ahli's advantage five minutes later when he collected a through pass and raced into the area before delicately chipping Soliman.

Ittihad striker Ragab reduced the arrears after capitalizing on a rare blunder by in-form Palestinian keeper Ramzi Saleh.

Saleh's mis-timed jump did not allow him to handle a right-wing free-kick as Abdul-Hamid Hassan flicked the ball to Ragab, who headed home at the far post to take his tally to four league goals.

Ittihad failed to build on their goal though as Ahli found no difficulty in maintaining their slender advantage.

Watch the match's goals