In a thrilling encounter during the 11th round of the Egyptian Premier League, Al Ahli Bank secured their second consecutive victory by defeating Arab Contractors 3-1.
The standout performance came from Mahmoud Kahraba, who netted a remarkable hat-trick in the second half, overturning the team’s earlier deficit after Mohamed Salem’s lead for the Mountain Wolves in the first half.
Kahraba’s spectacular display propelled Al Ahli Bank from the bottom ranks to the 14th position, amassing a total of 9 points. Meanwhile, Arab Contractors stalled at the 16th position with 7 points.
The historical record between the two teams stands at 3 wins for Al Ahli Bank, 3 wins for Arab Contractors, and 2 draws in their eight encounters.
This match marked the final showdown before the mid-February 2024 hiatus, as the league pauses to accommodate participation in the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
Match Overview
The Mountain Wolves took the lead in the first half at the 13th minute, courtesy of captain Mohamed Salem.
In a skillful play, Salem received the ball and struck a ground shot that found the back of the net behind Al Ahli Bank’s goalkeeper, Mohamed Abu Jabal. Salem, unfortunately, had to exit the field in the 26th minute due to injury, with Ziyad Farag stepping in as his replacement.
Aamer Aamer displayed exceptional goalkeeping skills, maintaining a clean sheet by thwarting a shot from Karim Bambu in the 43rd minute.
The first half concluded with Arab Contractors enjoying a lead.
In the second half, Mahmoud Kahraba entered the game, replacing Mohamed Bassyouni.
Kahraba played a pivotal role in Al Ahli Bank’s comeback, earning a penalty in the 56th minute, which was skillfully taken by Ahmed Madbouli.
Although the initial shot hit the post, Kahraba was quick to follow up, sending the rebound into the net.
Just five minutes later, Kahraba scored his second goal with a powerful shot from the edge of the box, putting Al Ahli Bank in the lead.
In the dying moments of injury time, Kahraba completed his hat-trick with a precise strike from within the penalty area.
For the first time in his career, the 35-year-old Kahraba celebrated a hat-trick in the ongoing league season, showcasing his enduring prowess on the field.
