Ceramica Cleopatra move top of Egyptian Premier League after National Bank of Egypt win

Ceramica Cleopatra moved temporarily to the top of the Egyptian Premier League with a 2-0 victory over National Bank of Egypt in the fifth round.

Mohamed Reda “Bobo” and Amr Qalawa scored in the second half as Ceramica Cleopatra secured a fourth consecutive league win and took their points tally to 12.

The result leaves National Bank of Egypt 10th with six points after a third defeat of the season.

Asem Salah took charge of National Bank of Egypt in the absence of Ayman El Ramady, who is recovering after undergoing heart surgery.

Match summary

Mohamed Alaa was named in goal for Ceramica Cleopatra for the second successive match.

National Bank of Egypt started with Yaw Annor, Ahmed Yasser Rayan and Osama Faisal in attack, but neither side was able to make a breakthrough during a quiet first half.

Both teams attempted to threaten the opposition goal, although Ceramica Cleopatra produced the only effort on target before half-time.

Ceramica Cleopatra made the breakthrough four minutes after the restart. A move built by Marwan Osman and then Ahmed Belhaj ended with Mohamed Reda “Bobo” firing a powerful shot from inside the penalty area in the 49th minute.

National Bank of Egypt almost levelled nine minutes later when Ahmed Yasser Rayan met a cross with a header, but Mohamed Alaa produced an important save to keep Ceramica Cleopatra ahead.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 65th minute after a defensive error. A misplaced pass from the National Bank of Egypt defence fell to Amr Qalawa, who struck a powerful low shot into the net.

National Bank of Egypt tried to reduce the deficit in the closing stages, but their players were unable to provide the finishing touch needed to overcome Ceramica Cleopatra’s defence.

Ceramica Cleopatra held on to complete the 2-0 win and rise to the summit on a temporary basis.