Egyptian Premier League title race heats up at summit as Zamalek, Pyramids and Al Ahly win
The Egyptian Premier League title race has become hotter among Zamalek, Al Ahly and Pyramids with some 12 games to end the season. Zamalek lead the table with 48 points, followed by Pyramids (46pts) and Al Ahly 44. Al Ahly trail Zamalek 4 points but have 3 games in hand as the two are considered favourites for the title.
After a 2-2 draw between Zamalek and Al Ahly last Sunday, much attention was placed on the next fixture against National Bank and Ghazl El Mahalla on Wednesday respectively.
Mohamed Sherif struck late to hand Al Ahly a vital 2-1 win Ghazl El-Mahalla while Zamalek beat National Bank by the same score line as Pyramids thrashed Eastern Company 3-0 away.
Al Ahly had a flying start to the game and were awarded a penalty after the opening 10 minutes for a cynical challenge inside the box.
Mohamed Sherif was through on goal but was brought down by Khaled Samy as the referee immediately blew the whistle for a spot-kick without the need for VAR intervention.
Expert penalty taker Mohamed Magdy Afsha stepped up and converted from the spot to give Al Ahly a quick lead.
Five minutes later, Amr El-Sulya provided a sublime through ball for Percy Tau but the South African’s shot hit the post.
Afsha had a glorious opportunity to score a brace and double his side’s advantage moments later, however, his volley went high and off-target.
Al Ahly suffered an injury blow in the first half with Taher Mohamed forced off the pitch as he was replaced by Salah Mohsen.
However, they continued to pile more pressure in the second half with Salah Mohsen curling one into the post after 48 minutes.
Amr El-Sulya also fired from distance a minute later but his shot forced a good save from Ghazl El-Mahalla goalkeeper Amr Shaaban.
In the 58th minute, Ghazl El-Mahalla managed to level the scoring against the run of play and undo Al Ahly’s hard work.
Tanzania international Himid Mao Mkami capitalised on a defensive error and struck the ball with venom into the top corner.
Amr Shaaban made an incredible stop to deny Hossam Hassan’s header after 75 minutes and keep Ghazl El-Mahalla in the game.
In stoppage time, youngster Zeyad Tarek produced a sublime through ball to Mohamed Sherif, who had to make a full stretch to poke the ball into the back of the net for a late winner.
Ghazl El-Mahalla went a man down in the dying moments of the game with substitute Ahmed El-Sheikh sent off by the referee for a reckless challenge following VAR consultation.
Al Ahly now trail Egyptian Premier League leaders and arch-rivals Zamalek by four points at third place with 44 points after 19 games.
In the Zamalek game, they defeated National Bank 2-1 in the Egyptian Premier League’s 22nd round on Wednesday, thanks to Seifeddine Jaziri’s brace.
An injury-plagued Zamalek side travelled to face National Bank following their 2-2 draw against arch-rivals Al Ahly in the Cairo derby.
Portuguese head coach Jesualdo Ferreira made four changes to the starting lineup from the weekend with youngsters Hassan Abdel-Maguid and Mohamed Tarek Hassan starting in defence with Mohamed Ounajem on the right-hand side and Youssef Obama as a centre-forward.
Zamalek had a slow start to the game and nearly conceded in the opening 30 minutes but National Bank’s goal was ruled out by VAR.
The game took a turn in the second half when Bank Al Ahly were handed a penalty that was confirmed after VAR consultation.
Abdullah Gomaa’s reckless challenge gave the referee no choice but to award a spot-kick for National Bank after 53 minutes.
National Bank skipper Assem Salah stepped up and converted successfully from the spot to break the deadlock and give his side the lead.
Mahmoud Abdel-Razek Shikabala had a glorious opportunity to equalize after the hour mark but his effort was denied by National Bank goalkeeper Mahmoud El-Zonfoly.
El-Zonfoly was called into action in the 70th minute to pull off an incredible stop to Shikabala’s curler and keep National Bank ahead.
A minute later, second-half substitute Seifeddine Jaziri stepped up, made a shape turn at the edge of the box, and unleashed a powerful strike at the near post to level the scoring.
With three minutes remaining to full-time, youngster Youssef Osama Nabih made a darting forward on the left-hand side and squared the ball to an unmarked Jaziri at the far post who tapped home to secure all three points for Zamalek.
The victory extended Zamalek’s lead at the top of the Egyptian Premier League table to 48 points after 22 games, seven points ahead of Al Ahly who have four games in hand.
