CAIRO — The first round of the Egyptian Premier League ended with plenty of goals and late drama.
Al-Ahly came from two goals down to beat Al-Sharqiya Enppi 3-2, while newly promoted Canal SC secured a 2-1 win over Ceramica Cleopatra to claim their first three points. El-Gouna and Modern Sport drew 1-1 in the other match.
Al-Ahly 3-2 Enppi
Al-Ahly came from two goals down to beat Al-Sharqiya Enppi 3-2 at Cairo International Stadium in the final match of the first round.
It was Al-Ahly’s first official game under Moroccan manager Hussein Ammouta. The win gave Al-Ahly their first three points of the season, while Enppi remains without a point.
Al-Ahly had most of the possession early on but struggled to create clear chances.
Enppi took the lead in the 17th minute through left winger Ali Ehab before attacking midfielder Mohamed Essam made it 2-0 seven minutes later.
Midfielder Marwan Attia pulled one back for Al-Ahly in the 34th minute to make it 2-1.
Al-Ahly continued to push for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 69th minute when right winger Ahmed Sayed Zizo scored from the penalty spot.
The Red Devils then went looking for a winner and completed their comeback in the 90th minute, when attacking midfielder Mohamed Magdy Afsha scored to make it 3-2.
Canal SC 2-1 Ceramica Cleopatra
Canal SC started their first season in the Egyptian Premier League with a 2-1 win over Ceramica Cleopatra at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium.
Ceramica took the lead in the 10th minute when striker Mohamed Reda Bobo scored from the penalty spot.
Canal SC equalised in the 50th minute through defender Ibrahim Sami, who also converted a penalty.
Canal SC was reduced to 10 men in the 67th minute after Momen Rady was sent off.
Despite being a man down, Canal SC kept pushing for a winner. Their efforts paid off in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Ghanaian winger Mawli Wayo scored to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory.
The win gave Canal SC their first three points in the top flight, while Ceramica Cleopatra started the season with a defeat.
El-Gouna 1-1 Modern Sport
El-Gouna and Modern Sport played out a 1-1 draw at Khaled Bichara Stadium.
Modern Sport took the lead in the 94th minute through winger Mahmoud Mamdouh.
El-Gouna pushed for an equaliser and finally found it in the 98th minute, when striker Ahmed Zaki scored from close range.
El-Gouna had more of the ball and created several chances, while Modern Sport struggled to threaten. The first-half ended goalless.
Both teams pushed forward in the second half. Mamdouh put Modern Sport ahead, but Zaki scored late to earn El-Gouna a point.
Both teams took one point from their opening league match.
