Late Equalizer Drama: Al Ahly Scrapes a Draw with Petrojet in Cairo's Premier League
29 October 2025
Match report
Al Ahly were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Petrojet on Wednesday evening at the Military Academy Stadium in Cairo, as the Egyptian Premier League's twelfth round produced another thriller.
Petrojet took the lead through Palestinian Hamid Hamdan in the 11th minute, finishing a cross with a header after a defensive miscue by Mohamed El Shennawy.
Al Ahly equalized through Slovenian Nits Gradisar in the 61st minute, three minutes after coming on as a substitute, sparing the hosts a second loss in a row.
Under their new Danish coach Torup, Al Ahly had started the campaign with a string of wins in Africa and the league but could not complete the comeback here.
The result leaves Al Ahly on 22 points in second place, trailing leaders Ceramica Cleopatra by a single point, while Petrojet climb to 15 points in 12th under coach Sid Eid, with a postponed match against Pyramids still to come.
The round will conclude tomorrow with Zamalek visiting Bank Al Ahly at Cairo Stadium.
First half and key chances
The opening period saw Al Ahly controlling possession but producing few clear-cut chances. A minor injury to Yasser Ibrahim did not derail the hosts, while Petrojet pressed with discipline and structure.
In the 11th minute, Petrojet struck first as Hamid Hamdan headed home from a cross after a defensive error by the home goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shennawy.
Al Ahly attempted to respond through Zizo’s delivery from the left and Ben Shlaly’s dribble, yet Petrojet's compact defense remained stubborn. Four players were booked in the half: Taher Mohamed Taher for Al Ahly and Seiko Sodou, Mohammed Ibrahim Okasha, and Mohammed Ali for Petrojet.
A late chance appeared when Ben Shlali’s cross was cleared by Petrojet’s defense, and a Fierce volley from Trezeguet sailed wide as the first half ended with Petrojet ahead.
Second half and the equalizer
The second period began with sustained pressure from Al Ahly, as Taher delivered an angled cross that was expertly kept out by Omar Salah before Gradisar, who had just entered the fray, equalized three minutes after his introduction.
Petrojet responded by bringing on Amadou Bah to bolster the attack and later Diabaté and Rashid Ahmed, while Al Ahly brought on Nets Gradisar’s strike partner to push for a winner.
Gradisar’s goal came from a cross by Mohammed Hani, headed in by Gradisar and checked by VAR before being given the green light. Both sides exchanged chances, with a few nervy moments near the end as the visitors pressed for a late winner.
Mohammed Shukri tested the Petrojet defense with a powerful shot, and Yasser Ibrahim had a shot saved after a swift counter. In the final minutes, Al Ahly pushed forward as Petrojet defended resolutely and cleared a couple of dangerous balls from the box.
In stoppage time, Al Ahly created a final opportunity from a cross that was cleared behind for a corner, but the whistle confirmed a hard-fought draw.
Conclusion: a hard-earned point for Petrojet and a missed chance for Al Ahly to stretch their title challenge. Both sides will take some positives into their next fixtures as the league nears its business end.
Punchline 1: With this draw, the only thing flying higher than the ball was the tension—some fans must have aged a season in 90 minutes.
Punchline 2: If football were a pie chart, this one would be 50/50 on offense, defense, and the referee’s decisions—tasty for some, half-baked for others.
