Zamalek ends Al Ahly’s unbeaten league run, claims ‘Cairo derby’ bragging rights
Egyptian Premier League leaders Al Ahly saw their unbeaten run come to a spectacular end after their bitter rivals Zamalek defeated them 3-1 at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on Saturday.
Al Ahly came into the 120th Egyptian Premier League ‘Cairo derby’ defending a 20-game unbeaten league run in which they had had won 18 times and drawn only twice.
The gamble by Zamalek coach Patrice Carteron to rest some of his key players in their 0-0 draw against Masr paid off while Al Ahly, missing some of its key players due to various reasons, was left frustrated.
The defending champions had more possession and efforts on goal than Zamalek but were left disappointed after a fine performance by Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Abougabal and wasteful finishing.
Al Ahly made a bright start to the game hitting the post and forcing a save from Abougabal but it was Zamalek who opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Ahmed Sayed who tapped in Achraf Bencharki’s cross.
Al Ahly eventually leveled the game in the 62nd minute through Yasser Ibrahim who capitalized on a scramble inside the penalty area. However, Zamalek regained their lead nine minutes later after a beautiful strike from Mostafa Mohamed.
Desperate to level the tie, Al Ahly pushed forward and their misses proved costly as Zamalek went up the other end and Mohamed Ounajem teed up substitute Osama Faisal to seal a famous victory in added time.
Even though Al Ahly (56 points) holds a 14-point lead over second-placed Zamalek and is likely to win the title, this game’s bragging rights went to Zamalek who will also take immense pride in ending their rivals’ unbeaten run.
It was Zamalek’s second win over Al Ahly in three games. Zamalek had defeated Al Ahly 4-3 on penalties to win the 2020 Egyptian Super Cup on February 20. Four days later, Al Ahly was awarded a 2-0 win in the league after Zamalek failed to show up for the match.
In other games, Misr Lel Makassa scored twice in the second half to claim a 2-0 win over El Masry, while Masr and El Gaish recorded 1-0 wins over El Gouna and Tanta respectively.
