Al Ahly rally from two goals down to claim dramatic opening-day win

Al Ahly came from two goals behind to beat Al Sharqia Enppi 3-2 in a remarkable Egyptian Premier League comeback at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, giving new manager Hussein Ammouta a winning start.

Al Sharqia Enppi made the stronger beginning and took the lead in the 17th minute through Ali Ehab. A cross from the right was not dealt with properly by the Al Ahly defence, and Ahmed Nabil Kouka failed to clear the danger. The ball fell to Ehab outside the penalty area and he struck a powerful effort that went underneath Mostafa Shobier’s hand and into the net.

Al Sharqia Enppi were then handed the chance to extend their advantage when they were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute. The spot-kick was given after Karim Fouad was judged to have brought down an opposition player inside the area.

Mohamed Hamdy took responsibility but sent his effort narrowly wide of the left post, allowing Al Ahly to remain within a goal of their opponents.

The reprieve lasted only a minute. Al Sharqia Enppi doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Emad Myhoub found Mohamed Essam, who exploited a lack of defensive cover before firing a powerful shot beyond Shobier and into the bottom-left corner.

Al Ahly had struggled badly during the opening stages, but Marwan Attia gave them renewed hope in the 34th minute. The midfielder collected the ball after the Al Sharqia Enppi defence had only partially cleared a cross from the Al Ahly side.

Attia then produced one of the game’s outstanding moments, sending a fierce long-range strike into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Bodi Samir.

The hosts continued to press for an equaliser after the interval and were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute. Ashraf Bencharki went down after appearing to be pushed inside the box, with Al Sharqia Enppi players protesting the referee’s decision.

Ahmed Sayed Zizo kept his composure from the spot, sending the penalty to the right of Bodi Samir to make it 2-2 and take the match back to level terms.

Al Ahly completed the turnaround in the 90th minute, when Mohamed Magdy Afsha scored a decisive late winner. Karim El Debes supplied the initial pass to Sofiane Benjdida, who produced a skilful back-heel into Afsha’s path.

Afsha controlled the ball inside the penalty area before driving a low shot across goal and past the right side of Bodi Samir.

The victory gives Al Ahly their first three points of the new league campaign and ensures Ammouta’s first match in charge ends in memorable fashion. Ashraf Bencharki was named player of the match after Al Ahly overturned a two-goal deficit to secure victory in the final moments.