All of Egypt’s “Big 3” were in action on Wednesday with all three of Zamalek, Al Ahly and Pyramids FC earning three points in Egyptian Premier League play. While Pyramids cruised to a 3-0 victory over last placed Eastern Company it was much more difficult for Ahly and Zamalek, who both needed late goals to win 2-1. Zamalek remain two points ahead of Pyramids and Ahly remain four points back with three games still to make up.
League leaders Zamalek faced difficult competition against National Bank of Egypt, who were able to keep the match even by halftime until NBE’s Karim Bambo was fouled as he attempted to receive the ball at the edge of the Zamalek penalty area. A Video Assistant Review determined that Zamalek left back Abdallah Gomaa began fouling Bambo inside the area and a penalty kick was awarded before Bambo put his spot kick just inside the post.
The response came from the league leaders, however, and Tunisia national team forward Seifeddine Jaziri provided both goals in a Zamalek comeback. Taking a pass outside the penalty area from Zizo in the 72nd minute, Jaziri turned and lashed a low shot past NBE goalkeeper Mahmoud El Zonfoly to level the match. Jaziri struck again to win the match in the 86th minute when a NBE corner kick was cleared out to Zamalek substitute Youssef Osama Nabih, who went on a long dribbling run before finding a wide open Jaziri with his low cross for an easy tap-in.
Al Ahly needed a late Mohamed Sherif goal to escape a disappointing result against Ghazl El Mahalla in Wednesday’s late match. Mohamed Magdy “Afsha” put Ahly in the lead with a penalty kick in the 12th minute but a loss of focus from the hosts led to Mahalla’s leveler in the 58th minute when Khaled El Akhmimi fed Tanzania national team midfielder Himid Mao Mkami for a sliding finish. In the end, however, it was Ahly’s Mohamed Sherif who restored the lead in second half stoppage time by poking in a pass from substitute Ziad Tarek.
Pyramids had no issues with Eastern Company, jumping out to a 2-0 lead by halftime through goals from Islam Issa and Ramadan Sobhi. Issa collected a 20th minute pass from Ahmed Fathy and unleashed a blast into the top corner to open the scoring before Sobhi smashed his finish home in the 45th minute after the Eastern Company defense failed to deal with a cross. Sobhi scored his second in second half stoppage time by finishing off an Ahmed Tawfik cross to complete a 3-0 victory.
Highlights from all three of Wednesday’s games are below.
National Bank of Egypt 1-2 Zamalek
Al Ahly 2-1 Ghazl El Mahalla
Eastern Company 0-3 Pyramids FC
