CAIRO — The Egyptian Premier League title race is heating up as the battle for supremacy intensifies at the summit of the table. Ceramica Cleopatra remains the team to catch, but traditional heavyweights Al-Ahly and Zamalek, along with ambitious Pyramids FC, are closing in with purpose as the first round approaches its decisive stretch.
Ceramica Cleopatra remains the pace-setters, commanding the summit with 35 points from 16 matches. Their consistency through a demanding stretch of fixtures, including four postponed clashes, has kept them firmly in control. Composed and efficient, they have firmly planted themselves on the league’s throne — for now.
Behind them, the pressure is mounting.
Zamalek and Pyramids FC are locked together on 31 points from 15 matches, separated only by goal difference, with the White Knights edging into second place. Both sides capitalised on the rescheduled round, securing important victories to stay within striking distance of the leaders. Pyramids matched their momentum, ensuring the chase remains tightly packed.
Al-Ahly, never far from the spotlight, climbed to fourth place after defeating Ismaily to reach 30 points from 15 matches. The reigning powerhouse is gathering rhythm at a crucial stage of the campaign and remains firmly in contention as the gap at the top narrows.
Elsewhere, Al Masry of Port Said occupies fifth place with 25 points from 15 matches following a 1-1 draw against Wadi Degla — a result that may prove costly in an increasingly competitive race.
With each team set to complete 20 matches by the end of the first round, the stakes are clear. The top seven sides will advance to the championship group, where six additional matches will determine the ultimate destination of the title.
The margin for error is shrinking, the tempo is rising, and the Egyptian Premier League title fight is very much alive.
Zamalek 1–0 Smouha
Zamalek secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Smouha at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in their postponed Round 14 clash, keeping the pressure firmly on the league leaders.
After sustained attacking pressure throughout the contest, striker Nasser Mansi finally broke the deadlock in the 77th minute, firing home the decisive goal to hand the White Knights all three points.
Zamalek controlled proceedings from the outset, pushing forward with intensity in search of an early breakthrough. However, Smouha’s resistance kept the scoreline goalless deep into the second half before Mansi’s clinical finish tilted the balance.
The Alexandrian side failed to mount a comeback in the closing stages, as Zamalek saw out the match professionally to claim a vital win.
The result lifts Zamalek to second place with 31 points, levels with Pyramids FC but ahead on goal difference, and four points behind leaders Ceramica Cleopatra. Smouha remains sixth on 25 points.
Al-Ahly 2–0 Ismaily
Al-Ahly returned to winning ways with a commanding 2–0 victory over Ismaily at Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria in their postponed Round 14 fixture.
The Red Devils asserted their dominance early, with Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng and winger Hussein El-Shahat both threatening inside the opening 15 minutes. Their pressure paid off in the 31st minute when Tunisian midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane capitalized on a defensive rebound to slot home the opener.
Defender Yasser Marei doubled the advantage two minutes before halftime, meeting Achraf Bencharki’s cross with a composed first-time finish to put Ahly firmly in control.
Portuguese forward Ieltsin Camoes nearly added a third in stoppage time, but his effort was comfortably saved. The reigning champions managed the second half efficiently to secure the clean sheet and maximum points.
The victory moves Al-Ahly to 30 points, keeping them firmly in the title race, while Ismaily remain rooted to the bottom of the table on 10 points. Ahly will next face El-Gouna on February 19.
Pyramids FC 2–1 Enppi
Pyramids FC edged Enppi 2–1 at Petro Sport Stadium in their postponed Round 12 encounter to maintain their push near the summit.
Playmaker Nasser Maher proved decisive, converting two penalties in the 23rd and 71st minutes to seal the win. Enppi had briefly drawn level early in the second half through forward Aqtay Abdallah in the 47th minute.
Pyramids dominated large spells of the match and created numerous chances but were forced to rely on Maher’s composure from the spot to secure all three points.
The result keeps Pyramids in third place with 31 points, levels with Zamalek but behind on goal difference, while Enppi sits 11th with 20 points.
Al-Masry 1–1 Wadi Degla
Al-Masry was held to a 1–1 draw by Wadi Degla at the New Suez Stadium in their postponed Round 14 fixture.
The encounter was lively throughout, with Wadi Degla missing a first-half penalty in a dramatic opening period. Al-Masry took the lead through midfielder Omar El-Saaiy, whose powerful strike from outside the area found the net in emphatic fashion.
However, Croatian midfielder Danijel Miski restored parity in the 68th minute from the penalty spot, ensuring the points were shared.
The draw moves Al-Masry to 25 points in fifth place, while Wadi Degla climbs to 24 points, sitting eighth in the standings.
