Al-Ahly tightens grip, Zamalek draws in Egyptian Premier League

Al-Ahly increased their hold on top spot in the Egyptian Premier League as their main arch-rivals Zamalek dropped points while Pyramids FC and Al-Masry of Port Said claimed victories in the 5^th week.

At Ghazl el-Mahalla Stadium, Al-Ahly maintained their winning start to the season as the Red Devils defeated Ghazl el-Mahalla 3-2.

First-half goals from playmaker Mohamed Magdi ‘Afsha’ in the 11^th minute and forward Percy Tay in the 47^th minute put Pitso Mosimane’s men on course at El-Mahalla Stadium.

Tunisian left-back Ali Maaloul gave the visitors the winner eight minutes into injury time.

The victory cemented Al-Ahly on top of the domestic league with 15 points from 5 matches as Ghazl el-Mahalla remained at 4^th place with 8 points from 5 matches.

At Cairo International Stadium, Zamalek and National Bank of Egypt (NBE) had to settle for a point each after a pulsating 1-1 draw.

Attacking midfielder Mohamed Helal opened the scoring for NBE club in the 15^th minute as the White Knights’ goal came from right-winger Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ from the penalty spot in the 69^th minute.

Zamalek slipped to 3^rd place with 10 points from 5 matches as NBE club kept in 9^th place with 7 point from 5 matches.

Pyramids FC thumped Eastern Company 3-0 at June 30 Stadium.

Defender Ali Gabr opened the scoring for in the 36^th minute. Pyramids doubled their lead with playmaker Abdullah el-Said stunning strike in the 47^th minute then striker Ibrahim Adel scored the third for his side in the 74^th minute.

The victory lifted Pyramids FC up to 2nd place with 13 points from 5 matches as Eastern Company remained winless this season at 18th place from 5 matches.

At Borg el-Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Al-Masry of Port Said eased to a 3-0 victory over El-Gouna Monday night.

Al-Masry’s goals came from left-back Hassan Ali in the 55^th minute as striker Amr Marei scored the second in the 72^nd minute.

Right-winger Ahmed Hamoudi added the third in the 88^th minute.

The result pushed Al-Masry of Port Said to 8^th place with 7 points from 5 matches as El-Gouna slipped to 15^th place with 4 points from 5 matches.

At Alexandria Stadium, Pharco FC stunned Ceramica Cleopatra 1-0.

Centre-forward Ahmed Sherif scored the decisive goal in the 69^th minute.

The win pushed Pharco FC to 11^th place with 6 points from 5 matches as Ceramica Cleopatra dropped to 5^th place on 8 points from 5 matches.

Elsewhere, Misr el-Maqassa held to a goalless draw against Al-Ittihad of Alexandria at the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo.

The draw lifts Al-Ittihad of Alexandria to 6^th place with 8 points from 5 matches as Misr el-Maqassa kept in 12th place with 5 point from 5 matches.