The race for top spot in the Egyptian Premier League took a twist during Saturday’s action as all top-3 sides were in action at the same time during the evening. League leaders Al Ahly suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to an inspired Al Masry side, their first loss to the Green Eagles since 2016, allowing title rivals Zamalek and Pyramids FC to move within striking distance. An 8th minute cross from Masry’s Elyes Jelassi picked out fellow Tunisian Haythem Ayouni, whose bouncing header could not quite be kept out by Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
Zamalek, while still having played one more match than their rivals, moved even on 31 points with a 1-0 road victory over Misr Lel Makkasa. Star playmaker Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” saw his 7th minute penalty kick well saved by Makkasa goalkeeper Mohamed Magdy for a concerning start for supporters of The White Castle. However, Zizo located fellow Egypt national team member Emam Ashour in the center and the 24-year-old’s long distance strike skipped past Magdy to give the visitors a lead they would not relinquish.
Pyramids had their own early concerns like Zamalek in a matchup against struggling Ghazl El Mahalla. A flat first half performance saw the hosts appear to go down when Mahalla player Mohamed Bazoka finished off a cross, but the apparent header actually went off Bazoka’s upper arm and was ruled out following a Video Assistant Referee review. Pyramids dominated the second half and even after Abdallah Said’s 56th minute penalty kick was excellently saved by Mahalla keeper Amr Shaaban, Said provided the corner kick that led to Ibrahim Adel’s 81st minute winning headed goal to give Pyramids the full three points and move them within two points of Ahly and Zamalek.
Video of the important moments from all three games on Saturday are below.
Al Masry 1-0 Al Ahly
Misr Lel Makkasa 0-1 Zamalek
Pyramids FC 1-0 Ghazl El Mahallah
