Eastern Enppi beat Zamalek 2-1 in friendly watched by Hossam El Zanaty

Eastern Enppi defeated Zamalek 2-1 in a friendly at Petro Sport Stadium, with all three goals scored in the first half.

The match was watched by Hossam El Zanaty, sporting director of Danish club Nordsjælland and a candidate for the sporting director’s position at Zamalek.

Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Isho” scored for Zamalek, while Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” and Mohamed El Nahas were on target for Eastern Enppi.

Zamalek began with Mohamed Sobhi in goal, behind a defence of Mahmoud Bentayg, Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wensh”, Mostafa El Zenary and Omar Gaber. Ahmed Rabie, Mohamed Shehata and Abdullah El Said formed the midfield, with Isho, Ahmed Sherif and Seif Gaafar leading the attack.

Eastern Enppi took the lead in the ninth minute when Kahraba converted a penalty, sending his effort to Mohamed Sobhi’s left.

The hosts doubled their advantage four minutes later. Mohamed El Nahas broke clear and finished after finding himself in a one-on-one situation.

Isho missed an opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 21st minute, but he made amends nine minutes later by scoring Zamalek’s first goal after an individual effort.

Zamalek came close to equalising in the 33rd minute when Ahmed Rabie’s powerful header struck the post. The chance followed a precise cross from Mahmoud Bentayg on the left.

Zamalek changes after the interval

At the start of the second half, Zamalek introduced Nasser Mansi and Mohamed Awad for Seif Gaafar and Mohamed Sobhi as the team increased its attacking pressure.

The technical staff then brought on Mohamed Ismail and Hossam Ashraf in place of Mostafa El Zenary and Ahmed Sherif.

Ahmed El Gabaly and Mohamed Wanees replaced Isho and Abdullah El Said in the 68th minute, while El Sayed Osama later came on for Omar Gaber.

Mohamed Awad kept Zamalek in the game in the 79th minute by saving a header from an Eastern Enppi forward. Zamalek made one final change when Ahmed Khodary replaced Mahmoud Bentayg, but Eastern Enppi held on for victory.

The defeat followed Zamalek’s 4-3 win over Modern Sport in their first friendly during the current international break.

Zamalek are expected to face ZED in the Egypt Capital Cup using youth and reserve players, with Ibrahim Salah in charge, as previously revealed by FilGoal.com.

They will then meet rivals Al Ahly in the Egyptian Premier League derby on Sunday, 11 October, after the league resumes.