Egyptian League: Mohamed Abdel Nasser earns Al Mokawloon a draw against Zamalek

Zamalek were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Mokawloon Al Arab after Mohamed Abdel Nasser cancelled out Mohamed Hamdy’s opener in the Egyptian League – Week 8 fixture.

Zamalek took the lead shortly after half-time. Oday Dabbagh delivered from the right and Mohamed Hamdy met the cross with a shot at the near post, sending the ball into the left side of the net.

Al Mokawloon responded after 10 minutes of the second half. A defensive error by Ahmed Fatouh allowed Joachim Ojera to collect the ball on the right side of the penalty area and cut it back. Mohamed Abdel Nasser’s effort struck Omar Gaber before finding the net.

The visitors had earlier threatened through Ojera, whose attempt from the edge of the area hit the top of the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick.

Omar El Wahsh also tested Zamalek goalkeeper Mehdi Soliman from distance, but the shot was pushed away to the left. Mohamed Abdel Nasser later struck from outside the area, with Soliman gathering the ball centrally.

Al Mokawloon created several opportunities before the interval. Mohamed Ammar’s header from inside the area was held by Soliman at the second attempt, while Mido Gaber’s long-range effort was also gathered by the Zamalek goalkeeper.

A free-kick from the right was floated towards goal by Mido Gaber and was cleared by Soliman on the line. Another delivery from the same player found Mohamed Abdel Nasser near the edge of the six-yard box, but his header went over the crossbar.

Zamalek’s best first-half openings included a header from Chico Banza. Omar Gaber’s cross from the right found Banza inside the area, but his effort struck Khaled Abdel Fattah and went out for a corner. Banza later had a shot from the edge of the area saved by Ahmed Fawzi.

Ahmed Fatouh fired over from outside the penalty area, while Oday Dabbagh’s cross from the right went untouched and rolled out for a goal kick. Abdullah El Said also sent a corner towards the area, with his header passing just wide of the right post.

Al Mokawloon’s Ahmed Sherif saw his effort from the left side of the penalty area deflected behind for a corner by Mohamed Ammar. Khaled Abdel Fattah shot wide from distance, while Idrissa Thiam was denied a clear run at goal by a well-timed challenge from Mahmoud El Wensh.

The match began with both sides sharing possession in midfield and neither team creating a clear chance during the opening 10 minutes. Play was briefly stopped for a water break, and the referee added two minutes at the end of the first half.

Zamalek made their first substitution before the second half, followed by another change later in the match. Al Mokawloon also made their first substitution after the interval. Mohamed Abdel Nasser was booked for a strong challenge on Mohamed Shahat, while Al Mokawloon were awarded free-kicks after fouls involving Al Wensh and Chico Banza.