CAIRO — Al-Ahly capitalized on Pyramids’ shock defeat to Pharco FC with a resounding 5-0 triumph over Haras El-Hodood in the fourth round of the Championship Group, slashing the gap at the top to just one point and turning up the heat in the Egyptian Premier League title race.
With the title race now wide open, the Red Devils’ commanding victory signals they are back at full strength— and gunning for the summit.
Al-Ahly 5-0 El-Hodood
At Cairo International Stadium, Winger Taher Mohamed Taher opened the scoring early in the 9th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball inside the six-yard box and slotting it past Haras El-Hodood’s keeper Mohamed Seha with a composed right-footed finish.
Defensive midfielder Ahmed Kouka doubled the lead in the 26th minute, firing in from close range after connecting with a pinpoint cross from Taher, showcasing Al-Ahly’s sharpness in attack.
After the break, Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali made it 3-0 in the 55th minute with a cool finish under Seha’s legs, courtesy of a clever assist from midfielder Marwan Attia.
Tunisian left-back Ali Maaloul made his long-awaited league return in the 70th minute, replacing Moroccan left-winger Achraf Bencharki. Moments later, Hussein El-Shahat extended the lead with a well-taken strike in the 73rd minute.
Slovenian forward Nejc Gradisar entered the fray in the 75th minute, replacing Abou Ali, while right-back Mohamed Hany capped off the night with a fifth goal deep into stoppage time.
The emphatic win propels Al-Ahly to 46 points—just one behind table-toppers Pyramids.
Pharco FC 3-2 Pyramids
Pharco FC delivered a major blow to Pyramids FC’s title ambitions with a thrilling 3-2 victory at Max Stadium in Alexandria, ending a long-standing winless run against the Sky Blues and throwing the Premier League title race wide open.
After a tense first hour, Pharco broke the deadlock in the 65th minute through striker Ahmed Sherif. Midfielder Mahmoud Emad doubled the lead just moments later, capping a rapid-fire spell that rocked the league leaders.
Pyramids hit back in the 77th minute when substitute Ibrahim Adel found the net to pull one back. But any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Pharco forward Amr Nasser struck a third, restoring the two-goal cushion.
Pyramids managed a late consolation through Marwan Hamdi in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their second defeat in the Championship Group.
Despite the loss, Pyramids remain atop the table with 47 points, while Pharco climbs to sixth place on 29 points, bolstering their position in the top half of the standings.
Ismaily 1–1 Smouha
Ismaily and Smouha shared the spoils in a 1–1 draw at Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria, also part of the fourth round of the relegation group.
Smouha took the lead in the 27th minute through right winger Samuel Amadi, who capitalized on a precise cross from midfielder Mohamed Said, slotting the ball past Ismaily goalkeeper Ahmed Adel Abdel-Moneim.
Ismaily responded in the 66th minute when left winger Nader Farag fired home the equalizer. A well-timed pass from right winger Mohamed Abdelsamia set up Farag, whose powerful shot struck the crossbar before bouncing into the net past goalkeeper El-Hani Soliman.
With the draw, Smouha climbed to 22 points to occupy fifth place, while Ismaily increased their tally to 19 points, sitting seventh in the group standings.
