Egypt: El Gouna and Wadi Degla clinch late wins in tight Premier League battles

El Gouna and Wadi Degla both left it late as they secured narrow victories on Monday during a tense twelfth round of the Egyptian Premier League, with matches that remained on a knife edge until the final minutes.

At El Gouna’s home ground, Smouha SC arrived prepared for a physical contest and the opening period reflected exactly that.

Neither side was willing to take unnecessary risks, resulting in a midfield battle defined by strong defensive structures and aggressive duels.

Clear chances proved elusive in the first half, the interval arriving with the score locked at 0-0 and frustration visible on both sets of players.

The pattern continued well into the second period, with neither team able to fully impose their rhythm.

Smouha attempted to press higher up the pitch, but El Gouna’s back line held firm and worked patiently to create attacking opportunities.

The breakthrough finally came ten minutes from time.

Mohamed El Nahass reacted quickest inside the area, guiding his finish into the net to hand El Gouna a decisive advantage.

Smouha pushed forward desperately in search of a response, committing more bodies into attack, yet they struggled to unlock the disciplined El Gouna defence.

As the final whistle sounded, the hosts celebrated a hard-earned 1-0 triumph that lifts morale and valuable points heading deeper into the season.

Elsewhere, Wadi Degla produced an equally determined performance to secure a 2-1 win away against Al-Ittihad Alexandria — a result shaped by momentum shifts throughout the contest.

The visitors struck first midway through the opening half when Mahmoud Diasty converted confidently in the 27th minute, giving Wadi Degla the ideal platform to build upon.

Al-Ittihad responded with increased urgency but lacked precision in the final third as the teams headed into the break with the score unchanged.

The atmosphere intensified after the restart.

Al-Ittihad eventually found a breakthrough of their own in the 66th minute, Islam Samir’s equaliser igniting hopes of a comeback and sending the home supporters into full voice.

For a period, the hosts appeared to have turned the tide, pushing Wadi Degla back into their defensive half.

But Wadi Degla refused to let the contest slip away.

With seven minutes remaining, Zizo provided the decisive moment, restoring the visitors’ lead and silencing the home crowd.

Despite Al-Ittihad’s continued efforts to salvage a point late on, Wadi Degla remained composed to protect their advantage until full-time.

The two results underline the growing competitiveness of the league’s mid-table battle, where fine margins increasingly decide the outcome.

For El Gouna and Wadi Degla, late goals ensured their persistence was rewarded on a night defined by resilience and determination.