El Gouna FC and Smouha SC missed chances to claim vital wins after playing out a 1-1 draw on Monday evening at Khaled Bishara Stadium in the Red Sea Governorate.
The match opened the third round of the Egyptian League’s relegation avoidance group.
Heading into the game, both sides shared an even record, each winning six times and drawing ten in previous meetings.
El Gouna struck first when Ahmed Shousha converted from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half. Smouha responded in the second half, with Mohamed Rabia finding the net in the 77th minute to level the score.
El Gouna had a golden opportunity to double their lead early in the second half, but Mahmoud Abbas fired over the bar after receiving a pass from Marwan Mohsen during a counterattack.
Under the guidance of Alaa Abdel Aal, El Gouna moved to the top of the relegation group standings with 24 points. Ahmed Abdel Aziz’s Smouha sit fourth with 21 points.
El Gouna next face ENPPI, while Smouha take on Ismaily SC.
