Ghazl El Mahalla Edges Past Ismailia in a Thriller as New League Format Looms
17 October 2025
Ghazl El Mahalla edge past Kahrabaa Ismailia
Ghazl El Mahalla secured a 1-0 victory at home against Kahrabaa Ismailia in the eleventh round of the Egyptian Premier League. Ahmed Shousha grabbed the decisive goal in the 50th minute, delivering a crucial win for the Delta side.
Essam Al-Fayoumi of Kahrabaa was sent off in the 32nd minute, leaving his side a man down for the majority of the match and shaping the tempo for the hosts who pressed for a second goal.
The victory lifts Ghazl El Mahalla to 14 points in 10th place, while Kahrabaa Ismailia remain on 8 points, sitting at 18th position. The result signals Ghazl’s intent to climb the table as Ismailia continue to navigate a challenging campaign their first in the top flight.
Separately, Ghazl El Mahalla lodged a FIFA claim over delayed payments related to the transfer of Tunisian forward Mohamed Ali Ben Hamouda to Shabab Belouizdad of Algeria, a dispute stemming from August and not directly related to this match’s on-field action.
Mokawloon Al Arab vs Enppi ends in a draw amid late drama
At the Mokawloon Al Arab Stadium, Mokawloon Al Arab and Enppi played out a 1-1 draw. Shukri Najib gave Mokawloon the early lead after just three minutes, but Ziad Kamal equalized for Enppi in the 27th minute — his first goal since returning from a loan spell at Zamalek.
The match saw late drama as Joaquim Ojera of Mokawloon was sent off in stoppage time (90+6), complicating a day that kept both sides hovering in the lower half of the table—Mokawloon on 6 points in 20th, Enppi on 18 points in a more comfortable position.
Wadi Degla lose ground to Modern Sport
Earlier in the day, Wadi Degla fell 2-1 at home to Modern Sport. Ahmed Youssef opened the scoring for Modern Sport in the 16th minute, while Wadi Degla’s defender Kamal Abu Al-Futuh was injured and replaced by Omar Adly in the 13th minute.
Modem Sport extended their lead with Ali Zaazaa scoring in the 72nd minute, and Wadi Degla pulled one back in the 82nd. A stoppage-time equalizer for Wadi Degla was ruled out for offside against Omar Adly, keeping the final tally at 2-1 for Modern Sport.
With this result, Wadi Degla remain on 16 points (6th), while Modern Sport sit on 15 points (7th) and Ali Zaazaa earned the man of the match.
New league format for 2025/2026 promises a fresh challenge
The Egyptian Football Association announced a new format for the 2025/2026 Premier League, featuring 21 teams for the first time since recent years after the relegation system was adjusted. The competition will run in two phases: an initial single-round league phase where every team plays the others once, followed by a split into two groups — the top seven for the title race and African competition spots, and the bottom 14 to determine relegation to the second division.
The aim is to raise competitiveness while reducing fixture congestion amid a packed domestic and continental calendar. The season is expected to intensify the rivalry among Al Ahly, Zamalek, Pyramids, and Al Masry as clubs chase the title under this bold new system.
On the broader financial front, the FIFA dispute over player payments lingers in the background, reminding stakeholders that the pitch and the balance sheet are intertwined in contemporary football.
Punchline #1: If strategy meetings were shots, this league would be a sniper’s dream—every plan lands, just not always in the net. Punchline #2: In a league where time is added on and posters lie, I’d bring a chair to the stands and a calendar to the bench—because stoppage time has its own time zone.
