The 2021-22 Egyptian Premier League title is clearly in sight for defending champions Zamalek following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over second placed Pyramids FC on Monday. Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” struck from the penalty spot before two minutes were completed and Seifeddine Jaziri doubled the lead twenty minutes as the White Castle overwhelmed a stunned Pyramids side. Zamalek are now seven points ahead of Pyramids with six games left to play and eleven points ahead of Al Ahly, who played Arab Contractors to a disappointing 0-0 draw on Saturday.
Zamalek got right to work and it took less than a minute before Pyramids were under fire. An excellent dribbling run from Emam Ashour saw the Egypt national team players slalom pass multiple Pyramids defenders into the penalty area before being tripped up by midfielder Ibrahim Touré to give the referee no choice but to award a penalty kick. Zizo sent goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy the wrong way with ease and Zamalek were in the lead.
Pyramids certainly controlled the ball for long stretches but the league leaders were clinical when it mattered most. Ashour was involved in the second goal after a long 24th minute throw-in was poorly cleared by the Pyramids defense, sending a chipped through ball to find Abdallah Sayed’s run on the right wing. Sayed cut the ball back across to find Jaziri for a first time finish past El Shenawy and Zamalek were off to victory. Veteran team leader Shikabala came on as a substitute and added the third in second half stoppage time with a splendid long range drive.
Al Ahly’s struggles continued and the team is in crisis when it comes to performance on the pitch as well as injuries taking away important players. Both Salah Mohsen and Hamdi Fathi were forced off early as Ahly drew Arab Contractors 0-0 and following the match dynamic young winger Ahmed Abdelkader was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury. Ali Maâloul missed a first half penalty kick and Ahly failed to convert numerous opportunities to drop eleven points behind Zamalek, and the fact that they have two games to make up is of little consolation at this point.
Highlights from Zamalek’s victory and Ahly’s draw are below.
Zamalek 3-0 Pyramids FC
Arab Contractors 0-0 Al Ahly
