Chico Banza’s late strike ends Zamalek’s five-match wait against El Mokawloon

Zamalek beat El Mokawloon 2-1 in the eighth round of the league, with Chico Banza scoring in the 88th minute to secure a first victory over the Mountain Wolves in five meetings.

Mohamed Hamdy put Zamalek ahead with the first touch of the second half, but Mohamed Abdel Nasser equalised in the 56th minute when his powerful shot deflected off Omar Gaber and went past Mehdi Soliman. Banza then settled the match late, converting Mohamed Hamdy’s pass with an excellent finish.

The result moved Zamalek to 19 points in second place, temporarily, while El Mokawloon remained seventh on 11 points. Zamalek’s next league match is against El Gouna on 23 November.

Zamalek started with Ahmed Fattouh and Chico Banza in the XI, while coach Moataz Gamal also selected Mohamed Shehata, Abdullah El Said and Ahmed Esho.

The line-up was: Mehdi Soliman; Ahmed Fattouh, Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh, Mohamed Ismail and Omar Gaber; Mohamed Shehata, Abdullah El Said and Ahmed Abdel Rahim Esho; Odai El Dabbagh, Ahmed Sherif and Chico Banza.

Hamdy scored his first goal for Zamalek’s senior side after being introduced at half-time for Esho. The goal came less than a minute after his arrival. It was his 13th appearance for Zamalek since being promoted to the first team last season and his sixth appearance for the club this season in all competitions.

The match began at a high tempo. El Mokawloon threatened in the third minute when Mohamed Ammar headed over Soliman’s crossbar, while Khaled Abdel Fattah cleared a dangerous ball in the fifth minute before Banza’s header was deflected for a corner.

Abdullah El Said sent a header narrowly wide of the right post, and Banza then tested Mohamed Fawzi with a low effort in the 11th minute. Soliman prevented a certain goal in the 25th minute, while Abdel Fattah almost put through his own net in the 41st minute, with the ball passing just wide.

Before half-time, El Mokawloon’s Mohamed Abdel Nasser, who is due to join Al Ahly in January, forced a save from Soliman.

After Hamdy’s opener, Omar El Wahsh tested Soliman in the 54th minute, but the goalkeeper diverted the shot for a corner. El Mokawloon continued to press, and Abdel Nasser’s deflected effort restored parity. Ojigera then struck the crossbar in the 66th minute.

Fawzi denied Hamdy in the 68th minute. Gamal replaced Odai El Dabbagh and Abdullah El Said with Hossam Ashraf and Ahmed Rabei, before Ahmed El Gafali made his debut in the 82nd minute in place of Ahmed Sherif. Banza went off in the 92nd minute, with Mostafa El Zenary replacing him.