Al Ahly extended their lead at the top of the Egyptian Premier League table to five points with a 2-1 home victory over Arab Contractors on Tuesday. A penalty kick from Ali Maâloul followed by an own goal gave Ahly a two-goal advantage before John Okoli’s goal put the visitors back in contention. Despite a late push from Arab Contractors, Ahly held on for the victory and still have two matches to make up on closest competitors Pyramids FC and Future FC.
The league leaders faced stiff resistance throughout the match but an excellent start was enough for the Cairo club. Ahly forward Taher Mohamed was dragged down in the Arab Contractors penalty area in the opening minute for a penalty kick which Maâloul rolled past goalkeeper Mahmoud El Saoud to open the scoring.
Ahly doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when right back Mohamed Hany sprinted into space on the right flank and cut back a low cross. Arab Contractors central defender Farouk Kaboré made a sliding effort to clear the cross but instead redirected the ball past a wrong footed El Saoud.
Arab Contractors rallied and struck back in the 42nd minute through Nigerian striker Okoli, who met a cross from Joseph Ochaya with a firm low header that bounced past Ahly keeper Mohamed El Shenawy. The visitors produced the majority of opportunities in the second half but failed to create much beyond long range efforts that did not trouble El Shenawy, giving Ahly a narrow victory.
Extended highlights are below.
