Egypt’s Capitals Cup Sparks as Ghazl El Mahalla and Mokawloon Set Quarterfinal Push
12 January 2026
Key results and standings
The Capitals Cup group stage served up a pivotal Tuesday as Ghazl El Mahalla and Al Mokawloon-Arab intensified the race for quarterfinal spots. In a 2-1 win over ENPPI at Othman Ahmed Osman Stadium, the Ugandan striker Joakim Ogiera struck twice (early 2nd minute and 69th minute) while ENPPI’s Ahmed Al-Ajouz converted a 68th-minute penalty. Earlier, Al Ahly had already taken a commanding 4-1 victory against Pharco in the previous round, underscoring the competitiveness of the group.
Meanwhile, Ghazl El Mahalla faced Ceramica Cleopatra and won 1-0, with Ashraf Magdy scoring in the 68th minute after Ceramica Cleopatra fielded a youth side. The results left the group standings in a delicate balance: Tala’ea El Gaish lead with 10 points, ENPPI sit on 9, while Al Mokawloon lie fourth on 8, Ghazl El Mahalla are one point behind, Al Ahly are on 6, and Ceramica Cleopatra sit last with 3 points, effectively out of contention.
With one round to go, the final matchdays promise a dramatic finish. On Thursday, Al Ahly faces Tala’ea El Gaish; on Friday ENPPI meet Ghazl El Mahalla, and Ceramica Cleopatra will play Al Mokawloon. The final round will determine who advances beyond the group stage and which teams secure a spot in the knockout phase.
What’s at stake and what to watch
The key question remains: can Al Ahly overturn the odds and reach the quarterfinals? They need a win over Gaish to push toward 9 points, while results elsewhere could influence their fate: a Ceramica Cleopatra victory over Al Mokawloon and an ENPPI win or draw against Ghazl El Mahalla would help tilt the balance in their favor. The scenario underscores how every goal and every result matters in a tightly contested group.
As the curtain falls on the group stage, fans should brace for a final day of twists that could rewrite the standings and send surprise packages into the knockout rounds. Expect drama, late goals, and perhaps a few tactical head-scratchers—the football gods love a good cliffhanger just as much as a good header.
Punchlines: 1) If this group were a sniper rifle, every shot would be a curving, unexpected goal—precision, drama, and a license to thrill the scoreboard. 2) They say football is a simple game; apparently these three matchdays tried to complicate it with more plot twists than a spy novel—sherlock-level surprises every 90 minutes.
