Egyptian Premier League round-up: Al-Ahly edges closer to title

Defending champions Al-Ahly is just one point away from securing their 44th Egyptian Premier League title.

The Red Devils need just one point from their final four matches to seal the domestic crown.

They currently top the standings with 78 points from 30 matches, five points ahead of second-placed Pyramids, who played 32 matches.

Al-Ahly is the most decorated club in Egypt, boasting a total of 43 Premier League titles.

At Cairo International Stadium, Al-Ahly set a new domestic league record by extending their winning streak to 19 matches with a 4-0 victory over Arab Contractors in a rescheduled match from the 23rd matchday.

This victory allowed Ahly’s Swiss coach Marcel Koller to surpass the record set by the legendary Manuel Jose in the 2004-2005 season, when he achieved 17 consecutive league victories.

Ahly’s Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali had an outstanding performance in the match.

The 25-year-old striker scored a hat trick in the 15th, 37th, 67th minutes respectively, increasing his goal tally to 18 and placing him at the top of the league’s scoring chart.

Bafana Bafana forward Percy Tau scored the fourth goal in the 78th minute.

Cairo powerhouse Zamalek and Smouha claimed victories in their matches in the 32nd week of the 2023-24 Egyptian Premier League season.

At Cairo International Stadium, Zamalek claimed a valuable triumph after stunning El-Gouna 1-0.

The game sole goal came from Tunisian centre-back Hamza Mathlouthi in the 15th minute from the penalty spot.

This result propelled Zamalek to 5th spot with 49 points from 30 games as El-Gouna slipped to 13^th place with 33 points from 32 matches.

At Borg el-Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Smouha stunned Al-Masry of Port Said 1-0. 

Striker Hossam Hassan scored the match sole goal in the 58^th minute.

The victory pushed Smouha into 6^th place with 48 points from 31 matches as Al-Masry stayed in 3^rd place with 52 points from 32 games.

At Arab Contractors Stadium, Ceramica Cleopatra and Arab Contractors shared the spoils in a thrilling 1-1 draw Thursday. Nigerian centre-forward John Ebuka opened the scoring for the visitors in the 43^rd minute.

Uganda Right Winger Joackiam Ojera levelled the score for Arab Contractors in the 47^th minute.

An end-to-end finish ensued as both sides felt a late goal could be decisive.

The draw dropped Ceramica Cleopatra to 8th place in the standing with 45 points after 32 games as Arab Contractors moved into 17th place with 25 points from 31 matches.

At Cairo International Stadium, ZED FC showed their incredible class to overcome Modern Sport FC and clinch glory with a dramatic 3-2 unbelievable comeback also on Thursday.

ZED FC seemed on course for victory when forward Shady Hussein gave them the lead in the 45+1 minute.

Abdelkabir el-Ouadi levelled the score for Modern Sport in the 55^th minute.

Cameroonian right-winger Arnold Eba netted the second for Modern Sport in the 61^st minute.

Angolan striker Dilson Kamone scored twice for ZED FC in the 81^st and 90+2 minutes respectively.

The win left ZED FC in seventh place with 47 points from 29 games as Modern Sport FC remained in 4th place with 50 points from 32 matches.

At El-Max Stadium in Alexandria, Pyramids FC fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with Pharco FC.

Ahmed Sherif opened the scoring for Pharco FC in the 11^th minute of the game from a header as forward Shoukry Naguib added the second in the 24^th minute.  

After waves of attacks, Pyramids’ South African forward Fagrie Lakay succeeded in scoring his side’s first goal six minutes before the end of the first-half.

Four minutes into first-half stoppage time, Burkina Faso midfielder Ibrahim Blati Toure levelled the score for Pyramids FC by converting a powerful shot.