"If Ismaili win the title, they will win it because we surrendered it not because they are strong," Jose told Ahli channel in a lengthy interview on Thursday.

"Ahli players suffer from exhaustion which badly affected their displays this season.

"Ismaili do not deserve to win the league because we are the best in Egypt and Africa."

Title holders Ahli, who are seeking to win a fifth consecutive league title, used to ensure their supremacy several rounds before the competition's end during the past four seasons.

But this is not the case this term.

They share the league summit with fierce rivals Ismaili with one match to go. A playoff match will determine the league winner if both sides finish level on points.

"My players are physically and mentally tired. They need to rest for the sake of Ahli and the Egyptian national team," Jose, who is set to take over at Angola, added.

Ahli Fan

The Portuguese, widely regarded as the best coach in Ahli's history, said he needed to spend more time with his family.

"My father is 94 years old and I didn't see him for a year now, and my son is 39 years and I don't know much about him," he said.

"Coaching Angola will help me spend more time with my family.

"But leaving Ahli doesn't mean that I will stop supporting them, I will remain an Ahli fan."

The Cairo giants' fans held aloft banners calling for the 63-year-old boss to stay during their 1-0 victory over Harras Hodoud on Monday.

"When I see the fans' love I feel that I'm a millionaire. I considered leaving Ahli more than once but every time their support prompted me to have a change of heart," Jose added.