The fallout continues for Al Ahly after a bitter defeat to Sudan’s Al-Hilal in CAF Champions League play over the weekend but the current Egyptian Premier League leaders did not let it impact their domestic form. Ahly made the long trip down to Southern Egypt to face the region’s only Premier League side, Aswan SC, and had no issues dominating the match on their way to a 3-0 victory. Ahly are now three points ahead of closest rivals Pyramids FC and Future FC with two matches still to make up on both teams.
After having a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, Ahly forward Kahraba kept threatening and rose highest to head in an accurate cross from Hussein El Shahat to give the visitors the lead in the 34th minute. El Shahat continued his role as creator in the 41st minute by getting free on the right wing and providing a low cross to Ahmed Abdelkader for an excellent finish to double Ahly’s lead.
Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy was the center of attention for the wrong reasons during the defeat to Hilal but saved a penalty in that match and repeated the feat against Aswan by denying Ahmed Khaled’s attempt in the 44th minute. Aswan paid the price in first half stoppage time when El Shahat’s touch to Mohamed Magdy “Afsha” sent the playmaker in for an open shot that he fired low past Aswan keeper Amr Hossam. The goal completed a hat trick of assists for El Shahat and completed a dramatic swing with El Shenawy’s penalty kick save that saw the match effectively over by halftime.
Elsewhere there were mostly draws around the league in four of the six matches over the past three days. Alexandria club Al Ittihad were the only other team to win, continuing a surprisingly excellent campaign by moving into fourth position with a 2-1 victory at El Dakhleya. Local product Ahmed Eid scored a dramatic late winner in second half stoppage time for Ittihad and Zamalek loanee also scored for an important victory away from home.
Highlights from the victories for Ahly and Ittihad are below following the full list of scores over the past few days as well as video of the goals in a 2-2 draw between Bank Al Ahly and Smouha.
Scores
Bank Al Ahly 2-2 Smouha
El Dakhleya 1-2 Al Ittihad
ENPPI 0-0 El Gaish
Aswan SC 0-3 Al Ahly
El Ismaily 1-1 Ghazl El Mahalla
Haras El Hodood 0-0 Pharco FC
Highlights
Aswan SC 0-3 Al Ahly
El Dakhleya 1-2 Al Ittihad
Bank Al Ahly 2-2 Smouha
