CAIRO — The fifth round of the Egyptian Premier League delivered dramatic twists in the title race and mid-table battles. Defending contenders Zamalek lost 2–1 to newly promoted side Wadi Degla, while Modern SC edged Haras El-Hodood 1–0. Al-Masry thrashed Kahraba Ismailia 4–0, and Al-Ahly parted ways with coach Jose Riveiro after seven games.
Degla 2-1 Zamalek
Zamalek slipped to second place in the league after a 2–1 loss to newly promoted side Wadi Degla at Cairo’s Al-Salam Stadium in the fifth round. Al-Masry of Port Said now leads the table with 11 points, while Zamalek remains on 10.
Attacking midfielder Nasser Maher opened the scoring for Zamalek in the 10th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error. Wadi Degla pressed throughout the first half, with Maher missing a second opportunity in the 44th minute.
The second half saw Degla take control. forward Ahmed Farouk equalized in the 60th minute, and left winger Mahmoud Diasty scored the winner six minutes later following a mistake by Zamalek’s Ahmed Fattouh.
Zamalek defender Mahmoud El-Wensh received a red card in the 71st minute, while Wadi Degla’s midfielder Ibrahim El-Bahnasi was sent off in the 82nd for a violent tackle.
Al-Masry 4–0 Kahraba
Al-Masry of Port Said recorded a dominant 4–0 win over Kahraba Ismailia at the New Suez Stadium.
Striker Salah Mohsen opened the scoring in the 68th minute with a penalty won by Algerian forward Abderrahim Deghmoum.
Kahraba’s left winger Mostafa Koshari then inadvertently added a second goal in the 74th minute following a clearance attempt.
Midfielder Omar El-Saaiy made it 3–0 in the 78th minute after a pass from Deghmoum, and Deghmoum wrapped up the scoring in the 89th minute with his fourth goal of the season.
Al-Masry climbed to the summit with 11 points, while Kahraba Ismailia stayed rooted to the bottom on two.
Al-Ahly parts ways with Riveiro
Defending champions Al-Ahly has terminated the contract of Spanish coach Jose Riveiro by mutual consent, just seven games into his tenure.
“The club would like to thank Mr Jose Riveiro, the first team coach, and his assistant staff for their efforts during the past period. The contractual relationship has been terminated by mutual consent,” Al-Ahly said in a statement on their official website.
The decision comes following Saturday’s 2–0 league defeat to rivals Pyramids FC, as Al-Ahly struggled to assert themselves despite multiple second-half changes.
Under Riveiro, appointed in May on a two-year deal ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, Al-Ahly managed only one win in seven domestic matches, alongside four draws and two defeats. The team currently sits 13th in the league with five points.
The Red Devils’ FIFA Club World Cup campaign ended early, with two draws and a defeat.
Al-Ahly began with a goalless draw against MLS side Inter Miami, followed by a 2–0 loss to Brazil’s Palmeiras, and concluded with a 4–4 draw against Porto.
At 49, Jose Riveiro departs without delivering the expected results, as Al-Ahly now looks to regroup and refocus on both domestic and continental competitions.
Modern SC 1–0 El-Hodood
Modern SC secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Haras El-Hodood at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium.
Forward Rashad El-Metwally scored the decisive goal in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on a poorly cleared ball by goalkeeper Mahmoud El-Zanfaly following a cross from Hossam Hassan.
With the win, Modern SC climbed to third place in the standings with 10 points, while Haras El-Hodood dropped into 14th with 5 points.
Smouha 0-0 Petrojet
At Borg el-Arab Stadium, Smouha and Petrojet played out a 0–0 draw. Both sides had chances, with Smouha creating more opportunities, but Petrojet’s defense held firm throughout.
The result leaves Smouha in eighth place with 7 points, while Petrojet moves up to fourth with 9 points.
