Cairo powerhouse Al-Ahly, Pyramids FC and Zamalek claimed victories in their matches in the 26th matchday of the 2021-22 Egyptian Premier League season.
At Al-Ahly WE Al-Salam Stadium, Al-Ahly claimed an important 2-0 win over El-Gouna thanks to goals from defender Rami Rabia in the 73rd minute and Tunisian left-back Ali Maaloul from the penalty spot in the 78th minute.
The result pushed Al-Ahly to 3rd place with 51 points from 24 matches. They are five points behind Pyramids, who played two games more, and nine behind leaders Zamalek, who played two matches more.
Despite the team’s recent setbacks in the last week, Al-Ahly fans were present at Al-Salam Stadium to support the team. New Portuguese Coach Ricardo Soares was full of praise for the fans that played a massive role in securing the victory.
“I would like to thank our fans for their support. They supported the players throughout the game and we are thankful for them,” Soares said after the match.
“We changed our tactics against El-Gouna. We were unlucky in the first half but we put on a better performance in the second-half.”
“Three of my players are injured after the game. Unfortunately, we expect more injuries in the team due to the overwhelmed schedule.
“The players are tired but they give everything on the pitch to win matches. This team plays every match with a winning mentality. We are a big club and we always play for winning,” the Portuguese tactician noted according to the club official website.
“We will keep fighting for the title despite all the difficult circumstances. We have a game against Misr el-Maqassa after three days and we have to be ready to win it.”
Before the start of the game, goalkeeper Mohamed el-Shenawy was applauded by Al-Ahly and El-Gouna players after winning the CAF Interclub Player of the Year award.
The Red Devils started the game with frontline pressure, as they were searching to score the early opener. With only two minutes on the clock, midfielder Hamdy Fathy fired a strong shot, but his efforts went to a goal kick.
We kept our pressure and created another scoring chance in the 9th minute, as Mohamed Magdy ‘Afsha’ sent a long pass inside the box, but the ball went to a goal kick.
In the 21st minute, the Red Devils were close from finding the back of the net but Ramy Rabia’s header went over the bar.
By the end of the first-half, Ahly was close to breaking the deadlock. Striker Hossam Hassan received the ball inside the box and turned to fire a strong shot, but the keeper was there to block his efforts.
The Red Devils started the second-half with the same pressure as coach Soares made his first substitution, as defender Ayman Ashraf joined the game instead of Mohamed Abdelomneom.
Five minutes into the second-half, winger Ahmed Abdelkader dribbled past the defense with a brilliant feint and converted the ball into the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed due to an offside.
Soares made more two substitutions, as Mohamed Hany and Salah Mohsen joined the game instead of Amr el-Soulia and Karim Fouad.
After missing several chances, Ramy Rabia has finally found his way to the net. Ali Maaloul delivered a brilliant cross inside the box. Rabia blasted a strong header, converting the ball into the back of the net to gift us a 1-0 lead in the 73rd minute.
Two minutes later, the referee allowed Al-Ahly a penalty after checking the VAR, as the ball touched El-Gouna defender’s hand inside the box.
Maaloul stood behind the ball, and with a sensational finish, he managed to add the second goal to make it 2-0.
Soares used his bench once again in the 83rd minute, as Walid Soliman and Mahmoud Wahid joined the pitch instead of Hassan and Maaloul.
The minutes went on and the referee blew his final whistle to declare a 2-0 victory for the Red Devils.
Elsewhere, Pyramids FC thrashed Ismaili 4-0 at the Ismailia Stadium.
Pyramids’ goal were scored by playmaker Abdullah el-Said in the 4th minute, winger Ramadan Sobhi scored twice in the 33rd and 38th minutes and Mahmoud Saber added the fourth in the 79th minute.
At Cairo International Stadium, leaders Zamalek claimed a 2-0 victory over Smouha.
The White Knights’ goals came from winger Ahmed ‘Zizo’ in the 34th minute and Tunisian striker Seifeddine Jaziri in the 47th minute.
The win cemented Zamalek on top of the Egyptian Premier League table with 60 points from 26 matches, nine points clear of rivals Ahly.
Smouha remained at 5th place in the 18-team table on 39 points from 26 matches.
