CAIRO – Zamalek was held to a draw by Petrojet, while Al-Ahly, Haras el-Hodood, and NBE Club secured victories over Ismaili, Pharco FC and Smouha, respectively, in the opening fixtures of the 14th round of the Egyptian Premier League.
At Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, Zamalek settled for a 1-1 draw against Petrojet, marking the first match under new Portuguese head coach Jose Peseiro.
The result moved Zamalek to third place with 27 points from 14 matches with a record of eight wins, three draws, and three losses.
Petrojet climbed to ninth place with 18 points from four wins, six draws, and four losses, scoring 13 goals and conceding 11.
The match began at a slow tempo. In the 25th minute, referee Nader Qamar awarded Zamalek a penalty for a handball by Petrojet forward Ismaila Bamba. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned, as replays showed the ball had struck Bamba’s head rather than his hand.
Petrojet threatened early in the second half, but Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi produced an impressive save to deny the visitors. Zamalek missed multiple chances to score.
In the 58th minute, defender Mahmoud Hamdi el-Wensh narrowly missed a header from a precise cross by veteran playmaker Abdallah el-Said. In the 75th minute, winger Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ struck the crossbar with a header, denying Zamalek the lead.
Petrojet broke the deadlock in the fifth minute of stoppage time when right-winger Mostafa el-Gamal weaved past several defenders before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Sobhi.
Zamalek responded immediately, with Petrojet defender Ahmed Bahbah inadvertently turning the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a long pass directed at striker Nasser Mansi, leveling the score at 1-1.
At Borg el-Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Al-Ahly cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory over Ismaili, raising their points tally to 32. Ismaili remained in 14th place with 12 points.
Al-Ahly opened the scoring in the 9th minute when midfielder Marwan Attia converted a penalty, awarded after Slovenian forward Nejc Gradisar was fouled.
The Red Devils were awarded a second penalty in the 26th minute after Emam Ashour was brought down inside the box. However, winger Hussein el-Shahat missed the opportunity, striking the crossbar to leave the halftime score at 1-0.
In the second half, Al-Ahly extended their advantage with three unanswered goals. Ashour doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, El-Shahat redeemed himself with a goal in the 83rd minute, and newly signed defensive midfielder Ahmed Reda sealed the win with a strike in the 88th minute.
The Red Devils now shift focus to their highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Zamalek next Saturday at Cairo International Stadium in the 15th round of the Premier League.
At Haras el-Hodood Stadium in Alexandria, Haras el-Hodood secured a convincing 2-0 win against Pharco FC.
Forward Mahmoud Mamdouh opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on a precise pass to break into the penalty area and fire a powerful shot past goalkeeper Mohamed Shika.
Mamdouh doubled his tally in the 74th minute with a superb solo effort, sealing the victory.
With this result, Haras el-Hodood climbed to sixth place with 21 points, while Pharco FC remained in eighth place with 18 points.
At Alexandria Stadium, NBE Club delivered an emphatic 4-1 win over Smouha.
Forward Ahmed Yasser Rayan opened the scoring for NBE in the 21st minute, followed by a goal from left-winger Yao Anwar in the 62nd minute.
Striker Osama Faisal added a brace, scoring in the 75th and 87th minutes. Smouha’s lone goal came from left-winger Abdelkabir el-Ouadi.
The victory lifted NBE Club to fifth place with 22 points, while Smouha remained in 11th place with 17 points.
