CAIRO — The eighth round of the 2024–2025 Egyptian Premier League Championship Group delivered high-stakes drama as the battle for top-four positions tightened and the title race approached its climax.
Zamalek climbed to third in the standings with a commanding win over Petrojet, while Ceramica Cleopatra boosted their continental qualification hopes by defeating Haras El-Hodood, moving up to fifth—just one point behind fourth-placed Al-Masry.
At the summit, Al-Ahly stands on the verge of securing a record-extending 45th Egyptian Premier League title, needing just one more win to mathematically seal the crown.
With 55 points, the Red Devils prepare for a decisive encounter against Pharco on Wednesday, May 28. A win would take Al-Ahly to 58 points, rendering the outcome of the other key fixture—Pyramids FC vs Ceramica Cleopatra—irrelevant to the title outcome.
However, if Al-Ahly is held to a draw and Pyramids FC clinch victory, both teams will finish level on points, bringing goal difference into play as the potential title decider.
Zamalek 3–1 Petrojet
Zamalek climbed to third in the standings with a 3-1 comeback victory over Petrojet at the Military Academy Stadium.
Petrojet stunned the hosts with a 25th-minute opener from forward Rashad El-Metwally, confirmed by VAR. But five minutes later, Zamalek hit back when defender Hossam Abdel-Meguid converted a penalty awarded to centre-forward Hossam Ashraf.
In the second half, Zamalek’s head coach Ayman El-Ramadi’s substitutions paid off. Right-winger Ahmed Abdel-Rahim “Esho” made it 2-1 in the 50th minute, and veteran playmaker Mahmoud Abdel-Razik “Shikabala” sealed the win with a trademark left-footed strike in the 90th.
Zamalek moves up to 44 points in third place, while Petrojet stays at eighth place on 26 points. Winger Mostafa Shalaby saw red in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow.
Ceramica 2–0 El-Hodood
Ceramica Cleopatra secured a crucial 2-0 win over Haras El-Hodood at the Arab Contractors Stadium in Round 8 of the Egyptian Premier League, tightening the race for the top four.
Centre-back Ragab Nabil broke the deadlock deep into first-half stoppage time, heading home from midfielder Mohamed Reda “Bobo” corner.
Winger Mahmoud Zalaka doubled the lead in the 59th minute, capping off Ceramica’s dominant display.
The win lifts Ceramica to 37 points in fifth place—just one point behind fourth-placed Al-Masry—keeping their continental qualification hopes alive. Haras El-Hodood, meanwhile, remains rooted to the bottom of the table with 24 points.
Al-Masry 1–0 NBE Club
Al-Masry of Port Said snatched a dramatic late winner to edge NBE Club 1-0, marking the perfect start for newly appointed head coach Mimi Abdel Razek.
Ivorian midfielder Serge Arnaud Aka was the hero, heading home in the 91st minute after capitalizing on a defensive error.
The victory sees Al-Masry leapfrog into fourth place with 39 points, while NBE Club remains at 37 and drops out of the top four.
Al-Masry dominated much of the second half, exploiting NBE’s drop in intensity and lack of attacking threat. The result revitalizes their top-four ambitions heading into the business end of the season.
Next up, Al-Masry face bottom-placed Haras El-Hodood, while NBE Club will look to bounce back against Petrojet—both matches scheduled for Wednesday, May 28.
