Ismaily on Edge: Bank Al Ahly’s 2-1 Win and Gouna’s Draw Keep the Egyptian League Talking

Ismaily’s relegation fears deepen as Bank Al Ahly win 2-1

Ismaily's run of losses in the Egyptian Premier League continued, raising fears of relegation to the second division for the first time since 1957-58, a fate nearly realized last season when relegation was suspended by the clubs’ association.

Ismaily were defeated 2-1 at home by Bank Al Ahly in a mid-table clash that sparked anger among the home supporters, while El Gouna managed a 1-1 draw with Ceramica Cleopatra on their own turf.

Bank Al Ahly’s revival under Romadi

Bank Al Ahly’s upturn has been credited to coach Ayman Romadi, who took charge after Tariq Mustafa’s dismissal and later moved to Libyan side Al Ahli Benghazi. The Red Knights collected their second win in three games under Romadi, following a 3-0 victory over Petrojet and a 1-1 draw with Wadi Degla.

Mostafa Shalaby opened the scoring in the 20th minute for Bank Al Ahly after a pass from Mohamed Ibrahim, and Osama Faisal added the second in the 27th minute. The 24-year-old forward had rediscovered his scoring touch, his previous strike coming against the Electricity of Ismailia on August 19.

Ismaily’s coach Miloud Hamdi reshuffled at half-time, bringing Khaled Nabris, Amr El Saeed, and Omar Al-Qat from the bench to refresh the attack, while Bank Al Ahly tired physically and introduced Ahmed Al-Nadri for Mohammed Ibrahim in the 59th minute.

The turning point came when the referee awarded Ismaily a penalty in the 74th minute after Abdul Karim Mustafa was fouled in the box; Mohammed Ammar converted in the 76th minute to reduce the deficit. Ammar’s goal was Ismaily’s first since August 24 against Tala’ea El Gaish.

Bank Al Ahly’s points rose to 11, placing them 11th in the table, while Ismaily remained 21st and bottom with four points after nine matches, having suffered seven defeats with only one win and one draw.

The league format this season features a split after the first phase: the top seven clubs compete for the title and continental spots, while the remaining 14 fight to avoid relegation, with four teams dropping to the second division next season.

The Gouna–Ceramica Cleopatra clash

At a Red Sea-region venue, El Gouna and Ceramica Cleopatra settled for a 1-1 draw. Marwan Mohsen put Gouna ahead from a 54th-minute penalty, his first goal of the season, lifting his league tally to 57 in a long career that has taken him from Al Ahly and others to the current club. He had not scored since May 16 against Ghazl El Mahalla.

Ceramica Cleopatra equalized through Riad Nabil in the 76th minute, while Amr El-Solia missed a late penalty for Ceramica in the 68th minute, saved by goalkeeper Mohammed Alaa. Ceramica Cleopatra’s 14-point tally leaves them mid-table, while Gouna sit on nine after eight rounds. Ali Maher’s Ceramica has overseen four wins, two losses and two draws, and Beibo (Ahmed Mustafa)’s Gouna has steered through six draws, including recent stalemates with Zamalek, Petrojet, and others. Gouna’s only win so far came against Electricity of Ismailia in the opening round; they had not found another since, including a 2-1 loss to Haras El Hodoud in round six.

In the end, Gouna’s nine points keep them in the mid-table mix; Ceramica Cleopatra are at 14, and Ismaily’s fate remains the hot topic as the season twists unfold.

Punchline time: If the league were a sniper, Ismaily’s season would be a long shot—lots of noise, few hits. And about my fantasy team? It’s so chaotic that even the highlights skip my picks with a wink.