CAIRO — The opening round of the 2025-26 Egyptian Premier League ended with a blend of victories and stalemates. El-Gouna FC made a winning start to their campaign, edging fellow newcomers Kahraba Ismailia 1-0. In contrast, Ghazl El-Mahalla and NBE Club, along with Pharco FC and Enppi, were forced to settle for goalless draws.
El-Mahalla 0–0 NBE Club
At Cairo International Stadium, Ghazl El-Mahalla and NBE Club played out a stalemate in a match dominated by the visitors.
NBE squandered several clear chances, with forwards Ahmed Oufa and Osama Faisal failing to convert, while El-Mahalla’s sporadic counterattacks posed little threat.
Both sides collected a point to close out their opening fixtures.
Pharco 0–0 Enppi
Pharco FC and Enppi also shared the spoils in a cagey encounter at Haras El-Hodoud Stadium.
Pharco controlled much of the midfield battle, and striker Karim El-Tayeb came closest to breaking the deadlock with a thunderous effort from range, only to be denied by Enppi goalkeeper Abdel Rahman Samir.
The second half saw both teams push for a winner, but despite tactical changes from the benches, neither could find the breakthrough.
El-Gouna 1-0 Kahraba
El-Gouna FC marked their return to the Egyptian League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over fellow newcomers Kahraba Ismailia in the first round of the domestic competition.
The match, played at Ismailia Stadium, was decided in the 68th minute when centre-back Saber El-Shemi capitalised on a long throw-in. Forward Mohamed El-Nahas rose highest to flick the ball into El-Shemi’s path, and the defender made no mistake in slotting home the winner.
The result sees El-Gouna move into fourth place on three points, trailing Al-Masry of Port Said, Zamalek, and ZED FC on goal difference. Kahraba Ismailia remains rooted in the 18th place of the table without a point.
ZED 2-0 Contractors
ZED FC made a winning start to their Egyptian Premier League season, defeating newly promoted Arab Contractors 2-0 at the Contractors Stadium.
Right-back Ali Gamal opened the scoring in the eighth minute from the penalty spot after a handball by centre-back Ibrahim El-Kadi, slotting his effort to the right of goalkeeper Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud.
Forward Ahmed Atef doubled the lead in the 61st minute, heading home from a pinpoint cross by right winger Mostafa Saad “Messi.”
Arab Contractors thought they had pulled one back through centre-back Mohamed Hamed, but the defender’s effort was ruled out for offside.
The victory gives ZED their first three points of the campaign, while Contractors remain empty-handed on their return to the top flight.
Al-Masry 3–1 Al-Ittihad
Al-Masry marked their season opener with a commanding 3–1 win over Al-Ittihad of Alexandria at the New Suez Stadium.
Algerian forward Abdelrahman Daghmoum put the Port Said side ahead in the 15th minute, before centre-back Mostafa Ibrahim leveled for the visitors early in the second half.
Daghmoum struck again in the 69th minute to restore Al-Masry’s advantage, and midfielder Omar El-Saaiy wrapped up the points with a stoppage-time goal.
The hosts dominated possession and attacking play, though they were denied a fourth goal when Algerian forward Mounder Temine’s strike was ruled out for offside following a VAR check in the 67th minute.
