Al Ahly continued to struggle on their search for positive form in the Egyptian Premier League on Wednesday, falling 3-2 to a tough Smouha side at the Alexandria Stadium. Marwan Hamdi scored two goals and Abdelkabir El Ouadi scored as well to give the hosts a three-goal lead before Ahly rallied but it was too little too late for the visitors. With Pyramids FC defeating ENPPI on Wednesday, Ahly fall further behind in the title race and now trail league leaders Zamalek by seven points and Pyramids by five.
Smouha got off to an excellent start in a match where they were clinical in the final third. Just after the eight minute mark a poor pass from Ahly center back Ramy Rabia allowed Smouha’s Hussein Faisal to move towards the Ahly goal and send a pass over to Hamdi, who weaved his way past a couple of defenders before slotting home past goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. El Ouadi doubled the advantage just before halftime by firing over the onrushing El Shenawy after receiving a pass from Mostafa Khawaga.
It took less than a minute into the second half before Smouha made it three. Hamdi went on an excellent dribbling run from midfield and took advantage of slack defending from Ahly to fire low past El Shenawy. Ahly got one back before the hour mark on a Taher Mohamed header from a Hussein El Shahat cross but could only find one more goal in their comeback attempt, a close range finish from Hossam Hassan in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
ENPPI were unfortunate to leave without a point at Pyramids FC with the visitors providing stern competition against the league’s second placed side. Burkinabé attacker Eric Traoré provided the game’s lone goal in the 82nd minute to give Pyramids all three points after receiving a well weighted touch pass from Walid El Karti. Pyramids stay within striking distance of Zamalek with the victory.
Highlights from both of Wednesday’s games are below.
Smouha 3-2 Al Ahly
Pyramids FC 1-0 ENPPI
