Zamalek climb to the summit with hard-fought win over Pharco

Zamalek gave their fans plenty to cheer as they battled hard to beat Pharco 1-0 at Al-Salam Stadium on Tuesday, a result that lifted the Whites to the top of the Egyptian Premier League table.

The breakthrough came in the 48th minute when Angolan forward Chico Banza headed home after Adi El-Dabbagh seized on a defensive mistake and set him up perfectly. Pharco’s night worsened when Senegalese defender Babacar Ndiaye was sent off in the 62nd minute for a second yellow card after a rough challenge on El-Wensh.

The first half had been tight, with Zamalek pressing but finding Pharco’s defense stubborn. Abdel-Majid missed a close-range header, while the visitors’ Ndiaye rattled the crossbar to remind the hosts of their threat.

After the goal, Ferreira’s men pushed for more. Nasser Mansi’s header went close, and his late curling effort struck the post. Adam Kaid also tested Pharco’s keeper, but the single strike was enough.

The win moved Zamalek to 10 points, while Pharco remained stranded at the bottom with just one.