The second round of fixtures in the 2021-22 Egyptian Premier League saw no surprises as all of Cairo’s big teams acquired three points on Sunday. Defending champions Zamalek, Al Ahly and Pyramids FC all won to stay perfect through their opening games, keeping the suspense high as to who will be the first to drop points.
Zamalek took on an El Gaish side determined to pull off an upset at home, but a goal in each half helped the visitors triumph despite an evenly played match. After a lengthy VAR review around the fifteen minute mark, a penalty was awarded to Zamalek after it was determined a foul occurred during a battle to meet a crossed ball. Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” converted with ease to make it 1-0 in the 19th minute. Omar El Said, a forward who found success last season on loan at El Gouna, improved on scoring a goal as a substitute against ENPPI by scoring in his first start of the season, looping a header over the keeper after Zizo volleyed a clever pass.
Last season’s Egyptian Premier League leading scorer, Mohamed Sherif, missed out on playing in Al Ahly’s opening match and may find consistent playing time hard to come by after Percy Tau’s sterling debut. However, Sherif delivered in the role of substitute and helped the African champions win with a 62nd minute strike to lift them over National Bank of Egypt. Amr El Soulia’s long range blast could only be saved into the air right in front of goal by keeper Mahmoud El Zonfoly, allowing Sherif to swoop in and volley home from close range.
League newcomers Pharco FC thought they had a surprise lead at home against Pyramids FC, but a VAR review determined that an apparent 40th minute goal was in fact offside. Pyramids responded after the half with two goals to propel themselves to victory. A 69th minute curling free kick rebounded back off the crossbar before Palestine national team forward Mahmoud Wadi got under the bouncing ball and calmly headed into the net for the opener. Eric Traoré failed to convert a penalty kick later on but Abdallah El Said made his spot kick when Pyramids were awarded another penalty a few minutes later.
Highlights from all three games are below.
El Gaish 0-2 Zamalek
Al Ahly 1-0 National Bank of Egypt
Pharco FC 1-2 Pyramids FC
