CAIRO – Zamalek kept their Egyptian Premier League title ambitions on track with a solid 2-0 victory over Haras El-Hodood at Borg el-Arab Stadium in Alexandria.
The result moves the White Knights up to 38 points, closing the gap to just two behind arch-rivals Al-Ahly, while leaders Pyramids FC remain in pole position with 44. Haras El-Hodood, meanwhile, languish in ninth on 22 points.
The win also served as redemption for Zamalek, who bounced back from their shock CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of South Africa’s Stellenbosch last week.
Veteran playmaker Abdullah El-Said opened the scoring from the spot in the 44th minute after a VAR review confirmed a handball inside the area.
Substitute striker Nasr Mansy sealed the win late in the 89th minute with a cool finish, a goal that was upheld after a VAR check for a potential foul in the build-up.
Zamalek dominated possession and mounted sustained pressure after the opening 15 minutes, while Haras El-Hodood adopted a deep-lying defensive approach and looked to counter.
Haras came close to an equalizer in the second half, with Zamalek defender Hossam Abdel-Meguid nearly turning the ball into his own net in the 65th minute.
Controversy followed in the 76th minute when Haras players appealed for a penalty after defender Mahmoud El-Wensh appeared to impede an attacker, but referee Mohamed Maarouf waved play on.
The result strengthens Zamalek’s position in the title race and provides a morale boost heading into the crucial upcoming fixtures.
Al-Masry 4-0 Petrojet
Al-Masry of Port Said laid down a statement of intent in the Championship Group with a dominant 4-0 victory over Petrojet at the New Suez Stadium.
Senegalese striker Pape Insa Badji stole the show with a hat-trick, helping his side climbing to fourth place with 34 points, while Petrojet remains seventh on 25 points.
Badji broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time after latching onto a through ball from defensive midfielder Mohamed Makhlouf. Right winger Mido Gaber doubled the lead in the 65th minute, rising highest to head home a pinpoint cross from centre-back Khaled Sobhi.
Three minutes later, Badji added his second and Al-Masry’s third with a composed finish after midfielder Mahmoud Hamada’s incisive pass split the defence.
The in-form striker completed his treble in the 82nd minute, capping a clinical performance and securing all three points for the Port Said outfit.
Al-Masry’s attacking fluency and defensive solidity underlined their ambition to stay in the hunt for a top-three finish as the Championship Group battle intensifies.
The top nine teams advanced to the Championship Group, where they are vying for the Egyptian Premier League title and qualification spots in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
This group comprises Pyramids FC, Al-Ahly, Zamalek, Al-Masry of Port Said, NBE Club, Ceramica Cleopatra, Pharco FC, Petrojet, and Haras El-Hodood.
