Al Ahly beat Zamalek 2-0 in Cairo derby to go top of Egyptian Premier League

Al Ahly defeated Zamalek 2-0 at Cairo International Stadium in the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League, with goals from Mohamed Hany and Monsef Bekrar.

The result moved Al Ahly temporarily top of the table on 16 points, while Zamalek suffered their first defeat of the season and remained third on 13 points.

It was Al Ahly’s 53rd league victory over Zamalek, compared with 29 wins for Zamalek and 51 draws. Zamalek manager Moataz Gamal has now failed to beat Al Ahly in either of his two matches in charge, losing 3-0 last season and 2-0 this season.

For Al Ahly manager Hussein Ammouta, it was a winning start to his first Cairo derby.

October War commemorated

Before kick-off, supporters of both clubs marked the 53rd anniversary of the October War.

Zamalek fans displayed a famous image of an Egyptian soldier crossing the Suez Canal, wearing a white shirt with two red stripes. The display also featured an Egyptian warplane, a tank and the Egyptian flag, alongside the message: “On the anniversary of the heroes, draw inspiration from the spirit of victory.”

Al Ahly supporters raised banners highlighting their club’s contribution during the war, including the phrases: “8,000 Al Ahly fans donated blood” and “Al Ahly visited the front.”

Hany breaks the deadlock

Ahmed Sherif started alongside Chico Banza in Zamalek’s attack, with Hossam Ashraf, Adi Dabbagh and Nasser Mansi among the substitutes. Mohamed Farag was added to the squad shortly before kick-off after Adam Kaied was injured during the warm-up.

Achraf Dari and Akram Tawfik made their first league starts for Al Ahly after featuring in the recent Egyptian League Cup victory over Petrol Asyut. Tawfik played in midfield with Marwan Atia and Emam Ashour, while Sofiane Bendjedida led the attack.

Al Ahly controlled the opening stages and had 62% possession after 15 minutes. Emam Ashour headed over from Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed’s corner in the sixth minute, while Bendjedida shot over three minutes later.

Zamalek gradually emerged from their defensive shape and earned three corners, but Al Ahly defender Marwan Atia cleared just before Mohamed Shehata could go through one-on-one in the 29th minute.

The visitors had reduced the possession gap to 53%-47% when Mohamed Hany’s powerful effort in the 39th minute changed direction off a defender and deceived Mehdi Soliman. It was Hany’s first goal in 23 Cairo derby appearances and his first goal for 525 days.

Zamalek nearly equalised before half-time when Ahmed Sherif set up Chico Banza, but the Angolan’s shot struck a defender and went behind for an unused corner.

Neither manager made a change at the interval. Al Ahly again dominated possession after the restart, although Zamalek created the clearer chances. Mustafa Shobeir saved Ahmed Sherif’s header from Mahmoud Bentayg’s cross in the 56th minute.

A minute after Emam Ashour shot narrowly wide, Ammouta introduced Omar El-Saai and Monsef Bekrar for Ashour and Bendjedida. Zamalek brought on Mohamed Hamdy for Abdallah El Said, switching from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3.

Hossam Ashraf and Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Isho” later replaced Sherif and Bentayg, while Adi Dabbagh came on for Ahmed Fattouh in the 80th minute.

But Al Ahly doubled their lead immediately afterwards. Bekrar’s low shot from the edge of the area followed a pass from Zizo and found the bottom corner.

It was Bekrar’s first Al Ahly goal after 314 minutes for the club. Zizo now has four goal contributions this season, with three goals and one assist.

Hussein El Shahat and Taher Mohamed Taher replaced Achraf Bencharki and Zizo late on, before the match ended with Al Ahly securing victory in the 133rd Cairo derby.