The first phase of the Nile Egyptian League concluded with Round 17, determining the split between title contenders and relegation battlers.
The top nine teams will now compete for the league title while the bottom nine will fight to avoid relegation with two teams destined to drop to the second division.
All teams carry their accumulated points into the next stage.
Pyramids 2-1 Ceramica Cleopatra
Pyramids secured a crucial home victory against Ceramica Cleopatra, winning 2-1.
Mostafa Fathi opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a penalty, marking his third goal contribution in two matches and his second consecutive successful penalty following his goal against Al Ittihad.
Ahmed Belhadji equalized for Ceramica Cleopatra in the 53rd minute after a well-orchestrated team move. The Moroccan now has four goal contributions in his last five matches (three goals, one assist).
But it was another Moroccan, Mohamed Chibi, who restored Pyramids' lead in the 71st minute with a well-placed strike outside the penalty area. This was the right back's fourth goal contribution in his last six matches (one goal, three assists).
Pyramids extended their winning streak to eight matches and their unbeaten run to 18 matches (16 wins).
Standings:
1. Pyramids – 42 points
6. Ceramica Cleopatra – 24 points
Al Ahly 2-0 Tala’ea El Gaish
Al Ahly secured a 2-0 home victory against Tala’ea El Gaish and stayed within three points of Pyramids.
Nejc Gradišar broke the deadlock in the 46th minute with a strike from outside the box that the goalkeeper mishandled. The Slovenian striker has now recorded eight goal contributions in eight matches since joining Al Ahly in January.
Marwan Attia sealed the win with a 97th-minute penalty.
Standings:
2. Al Ahly – 39 points
11. Tala’ea El Gaish – 21 points
Tala’ea El Gaish missed out on a top-nine finish by just two points, as Haras El Hodood who are 9th with 22 points are ahead due to a superior goal difference.
Petrojet 2-1 Ghazl El Mahalla
Newly promoted Petrojet pulled off a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ghazl El Mahalla, securing a spot in the title race phase.
Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda gave Ghazl El Mahalla the lead in the 47th minute with a chip over the goalkeeper. This was his second consecutive match with a goal.
Ismail Bamba equalized for Petrojet in the 69th minute, scoring for the second game in a row. Rashad Metwally clinched the win in the 98th minute with a penalty earned by Ismail Bamba. Metwally now has three goal contributions in his last three matches (one goal, two assists), continuing his streak of a direct goal involvement in every match.
This victory marked Petrojet's first win after six winless matches, completing an achievement by qualifying for the championship stage in their debut top-flight season after promotion.
Standings:
8. Petrojet – 22 points
15. Ghazl El Mahalla – 17 points
Final First Phase Table
Points | |
Pyramids FC | 42 |
Al Ahly | 39 |
Zamalek | 32 |
Al Masry | 30 |
National Bank | 29 |
Ceramica Cleopatra | 24 |
Pharco | 23 |
Petrojet | 22 |
Haras El Hodoud | 22 |
El Gaish | 21 |
ZED FC | 21 |
Smouha | 20 |
Al Ittihad | 18 |
Ghazl El Mahalla | 17 |
El Gouna | 17 |
Ismaily | 14 |
ENPPI | 12 |
Modern Sport | 9 |
The top nine finishers have qualified for the championship group in the next phase.
The bottom nine finishers will participate in the relegation group.
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