CAIRO — The 2024–2025 Egyptian Premier League Relegation Group heated up in the second stage, serving up high-stakes clashes and plenty of drama on the pitch.
Ismaily roared back to form with an emphatic 3-0 triumph over Ghazl El Mahalla, showcasing dominance and intent. Modern Sport claimed a crucial edge with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Al-Ittihad of Alexandria, securing three precious points.
Talae El-Geish and El-Mahalla were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in a tightly contested affair, as Enppi held league leaders ZED FC to a gritty 1-1 stalemate, underlining the fierce competitiveness of the relegation battle.
Last week, the Egyptian Pro League Association officially suspended relegation for the current season after thorough discussions with the clubs. This strategic move is designed to stabilize the league and pave the way for a revamped structure featuring 21 teams in the top tier starting in the 2025–2026 season.
Next season will welcome three promoted teams from the second division, while four teams will face relegation by the campaign’s conclusion, reinstating the traditional promotion and relegation system.
Under the new format, the season will split after 20 rounds into a Championship Group and a Relegation Group, with the bottom four teams ultimately dropping out. Wadi Degla and Arab Contractors have already secured their spots in the top flight, leaving the final promotion place still fiercely contested.
Enppi 1–1 ZED FC
Relegation Group leaders ZED FC were held to a 1–1 draw by a resilient Enppi side at PetroSport Stadium.
Left-winger Mostafa Ziko gave ZED the lead in the 40th minute, but centre-back Hisham Adel Ezzat nodded home a crucial equalizer in the 83rd. The result keeps ZED at the summit with 31 points, while Enppi remains in the mix with 26.
Modern Sport 1–0 Al-Ittihad
Modern Sport edged Al-Ittihad 1–0 in a tightly contested affair. Nigerian striker Fejiri Okenabirhie netted the decisive goal in the 72nd minute, capitalizing on a numerical advantage after centre-back Mohamed El-Maghraby saw red for the Alexandrian side in the 59th minute.
Modern Sport climbed to fifth in the group standings with 25 points—level with Al-Ittihad but ahead on goal difference.
El-Geish 1–1 El-Mahalla
Late drama unfolded at the Sports Authority Stadium as Ghazl El-Mahalla salvaged a last-gasp equalizer to draw 1–1 with Talae El-Geish.
El-Geish struck early through midfielder Ali Hamdi in the 8th minute, but defensive midfielder Ahmed Fawzy broke home fans’ hearts with a 90th-minute equalizer. The draw pushed El-Geish to 28 points, firmly in second place, while Mahalla moved to 22.
Ismaily 3–0 El-Gouna
Ismaily roared back to winning ways with a commanding 3–0 triumph over El-Gouna at Ismailia Stadium.
Attacking midfielder Abdelrahman El-Dah starred with a brace—netting just before halftime and again in the 47th minute—before winger Mohamed Khatary sealed the deal in the 88th. Ismaily’s points total rose to 22, while El-Gouna stayed at 30.
