Egyptian Premier League: Zamalek returns to winning ways against Smouha

CAIRO – Defending champions Zamalek got back to winning ways in 18th matchday of the 2022/2023 Egyptian Premier League season.

The White Knights defeated Smouha 3-1 at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab stadium thanks to goals from playmaker Mahmoud Abdel-razik ‘Shikabala’ in the 35^th minutes as winger Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ scored twice in the 38^th and 42^nd minutes respectively.

The Alexandrian-based club sole goal came from Mohamed Sabahi in the 89^th minutes.

The result pushed Zamalek to 4th place in the league table with 32 points from 18 matches, five points behind leaders and arch-rivals Al-Ahly who played three matches less.

Smouha stayed in the 12th place with 20 points after playing 18 games.

Elsewhere, Arab Contractors stunned Ghazl el-Mahalla 3-0 at Ghazl el-Mahalla Stadium.

The game goals came from midfielder Abdulrahman Khaled in the 1^st minutes, Ugandan defender Joseph Ochaya in the 63^rd minutes and midfielder Omar Fathi in the 90^th minutes.

The win lifted Arab Contractors to 5th place with 31 points from 17 matches as Ghazl el-Mahalla slipped to 7th place with 26 points from 18 games.

At the Military Sports Stadium in Cairo, El-Dakhleya beat Talae el-Geish 1-0.

The game sole goal came from right winger Ali el-Zahdi in the 52^nd minutes.

El-Dakhleya remained at 15^th place with 16 points from 18 games as Talae el-Geish dropped into 13^th place with 16 points from 18 matches.

Pharco FC, meanwhile, grabbed a 1-0 victory over bottom side NBE club.

The game winner came from midfielder Mahmoud Hamada in the 5^th minute.

Pharco FC is now 8th in the standing with 22 points from 18 matches as NBE club remained at 18^th place with 13 points from 18 matches.