CAIRO — The seventeenth round of the Egyptian Premier League delivered a weekend of twists, upsets, and high-stakes drama. Al-Ahly was held to a stalemate by NBE Club, Pyramids FC stumbled to a surprise defeat against Smouha, Zamalek powered past Kahraba Ismailia, and Ceramica Cleopatra claimed a vital victory over Ghazl El-Mahalla to stay firmly in control of the title race.
Ceramica Cleopatra continues to lead the pack with 35 points from 16 matches, boasting 11 wins, 2 draws, and just 3 defeats. Zamalek sits second with 28 points, level on record with Pyramids FC but ahead on goal difference, having scored 25 times while conceding 11. Pyramids FC occupy third, while Al-Ahly holds fourth with 27 points, reflecting a campaign of 7 wins, 6 draws, and a single loss.
At the bottom, the relegation battle is heating up. Pharco FC clings to 18th with 13 points, Talae El-Geish is 19th on 12, and Kahraba Ismailia and Ismaily occupy 20th and 21st with 11 and 10 points respectively.
With the title race tightening above and the scrap for survival intensifying below, the Egyptian Premier League is delivering week after week of edge-of-the-seat football drama.
Ceramica 3–2 El-Mahalla
Ceramica Cleopatra tightened their grip on top spot with a hard-fought 3–2 win over Ghazl El-Mahalla at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium.
South African forward Fakhri Lakay opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Burundi’s Abdi Ineza restored parity for El-Mahalla.
Defender Amr Kalawa quickly re-established Ceramica’s lead, and Lakay struck again late on to seal the points, despite Jimmy Mwanga’s stoppage-time reply. The victory lifted Ceramica to 35 points, while El-Mahalla remain 14th on 17.
Smouha 2–1 Pyramids FC
Smouha claimed one of the results of the round, edging Pyramids FC 2–1 at Alexandria Stadium.
Samuel Amadi struck inside three minutes to give the hosts a flying start before Mahmoud Zalaka levelled for Pyramids midway through the first half.
With the contest seemingly heading for a draw, Hossam Ashraf netted a decisive late winner in the 88th minute, moving Smouha up to 25 points and dealing a blow to Pyramids’ title ambitions.
Zamalek 5–2 Kahraba
Zamalek produced a dominant attacking display to sweep aside Kahraba Ismailia 5–2.
Ahmed Sherif and Palestinian international Adi Al-Dabbagh both scored twice, while Nasser Mansi added another as Zamalek surged into second place.
Despite goals from Ali Suleiman and Omar Al-Saeed, Kahraba was unable to stem the tide and remain deep in relegation trouble.
Contractors 1–0 Degla
Arab Contractors earned a crucial victory over Wadi Degla at Al-Salam Stadium, with Shoukry Naguib heading home the only goal of the game after a fine cross from Mohamed Adel.
The win lifted Contractors to 16 points in 15th place, while Degla stays eighth on 23 in eighth place.
El-Hodood 2–2 Pharco FC
Haras El-Hodood and Pharco FC shared the points in an entertaining 2–2 draw in Alexandria.
Early pressure saw Mahmoud Oka give Haras the lead, but Babacar N’Diaye equalised before the break.
Aliou Badara put Pharco ahead in the second half, only for Aziz Obeid to restore parity as the match ended level.
Al-Ahly 1–1 NBE Club
Al-Ahly were forced to settle for a 1–1 draw against a spirited NBE Club at Cairo International Stadium.
Winger Mostafa Shalaby stunned the hosts with an early opener, before Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” rescued a point late on.
The result leaves Al-Ahly on 27 points, losing ground in the title race, while NBE Club remains ninth with 21.
