Smouha SC cruise past Ghazl El Mahalla in Egypt Cup

Smouha booked their place in the Egypt Cup round of 16 with a convincing 3-1 win over Ghazl El Mahalla at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, in the opening game of the last-32 stage.

Under coach Ahmed Abdelaziz, the Alexandria side now await the winner of Haras El Hodood vs Ismaily in the next round.

Senegalese striker Pape Badji set the tone early with a brilliant overhead finish in the 11th minute, following up after goalkeeper Amer Mohamed Amer had initially saved a one-on-one from Khaled El Ghandour. El Ghandour doubled the lead five minutes into the second half with a powerful shot that slipped past Amer, putting Mahalla under real pressure.

Ghazl El Mahalla briefly came back into it when Ahmed Shousha converted a penalty in the 57th minute, but Smouha’s substitutes made the difference late on. Samir Fekry, who had already missed a big chance, finally killed the game with a close-range finish in the 72nd minute to make it 3-1.

For Mahalla and coach Alaa Abdel Aal, the defeat is painful: it is their first match this season in which they concede three goals, after building a reputation for clean sheets and goalless draws in the league.

Smouha finished with ten men after Mohamed Saeed Makarona received a second yellow card deep into stoppage time, but the damage had already been done as referee Tarek Magdy blew for full-time, confirming Smouha’s strong start in a historic competition first played in 1921.