CAIRO – The highly anticipated Cairo derby between Al-Ahly and Zamalek ended in a 1-1 draw, while El-Gouna and Enppi claimed wins over Ceramica Cleopatra and Smouha, respectively, in the 15th round of the 2024-2025 Egyptian Premier League.
At Cairo International Stadium, Al-Ahly and Zamalek battled to an intense 1-1 draw, with the White Knights coming from behind to secure a crucial point.
Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki opened the scoring for Al-Ahly in the 72nd minute, but Zamalek’s Moroccan left-back Mahmoud Bentayeb equalized in the 83rd minute.
The result keeps Al-Ahly unbeaten, extending their tally to 33 points from 15 matches (9 wins, 6 draws), with 27 goals scored and 9 conceded.
Zamalek, meanwhile, climbed to third place with 28 points (8 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses), having scored 26 goals and conceded 15.
The match started cautiously, with both sides prioritizing defensive stability. However, Al-Ahly gradually gained control, utilizing the pace of winger Hussein el-Shahat and Slovenian forward Nejc Gradisar.
Gradisar delivered a dangerous cross to El-Shahat, but Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad intervened in time.
As the game progressed, both teams struggled to capitalize on their chances. Al-Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour came close with a powerful strike that deflected off Awad’s hand and hit the post.
The tempo increased in the second half, with Zamalek pressing forward. Bencharki made his debut for Al-Ahly in the 61st minute, and just ten minutes later, he broke the deadlock with a precise header off a Gradisar cross.
Zamalek responded with urgency, as winger Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ forced a crucial save from Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed el-Shenawy.
Their persistence paid off in the 84th minute when Bentayeb capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting in the equalizer after a pass from Omar Gaber.
Both teams pushed for a late winner, but neither could find the breakthrough, resulting in a dramatic 1-1 draw.
El-Gouna earned a crucial 2-0 victory over Ceramica Cleopatra at Khaled Beshara Stadium.
Right-back Ahmed Magdy ‘Kahraba’ opened the scoring in the 27th minute, while Nigerian winger Tolulope Samuel Ojo sealed the win with a second goal in the 86th minute.
With this result, El-Gouna climbed to 13 points, placing them 15th in the league standings. Meanwhile, Ceramica Cleopatra remained in seventh place with 21 points.
At Borg el-Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Ismaili and Al-Masry of Port Said played to a 0-0 draw.
The result takes Al-Masry’s tally to 24 points, keeping them in fifth place, marking their sixth draw of the season.
Ismaili, on the other hand, moved up to 16th place with 13 points after recording their fourth draw of the campaign.
At Cairo’s Petro Sports Stadium, Enppi returned to winning ways with a 1–0 win over Smouha, ending a five-match winless run.
The decisive goal was converted from a penalty by Ahmed el-Agyouz in the 57th minute.
With this result, Enppi now sits in 12 points from 15 matches (2 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses), placing them in 17th position, while Smouha stayed in 12th place with 17 points from 15 matches (5 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses).
At Haras el-Hodoud Stadium in Alexandria, Pharco FC and Modern Sport settled for a 0-0 draw.
