Zamalek finally returns to winning ways as interim coach sparks a Cairo joyride; Pyramids edges Al Ettihad in a Cairo clash

Zamalek snaps back to victory under interim coach

In the Egyptian Premier League, Zamalek ended a four-match winless streak by defeating Talaea El-Gaish 3-1 at Cairo Stadium on Sunday, during the 13th round.

Nasser Maher opened the scoring in the 5th minute and doubled his tally in the 49th. The Palestinian Addi Debagh completed the white-hot afternoon with a third in the 61st, while Mohamed Atef found a consolation for Talaea in the 80th minute.

It was Zamalek’s first match under interim coach Ahmed Abdel-Raouf, who restored the winning habit after the departure of Belgian coach Vin Ferreiras following four league defeats in a row.

By the end of the game, Zamalek had moved to 22 points and climbed to second place, while Talaea remained on 10 points in 18th, under coach Haitham Shaaban.

First half

The White Knights started with high pressing and earned a set piece that led to Maher’s early strike, guiding the ball into the net after a precise assist from Dontje in the fifth minute.

Talaea’s reply came through a powerful shot saved by goalkeeper Mohammed Sobhi, while Juan Pizarro from Zamalek was forced off with an injury in the 28th minute, and Addi Debagh came on to replace him.

Debagh wasted a good chance in the 38th minute as the defense of the visitors held firm, leaving the scoreline at a single goal after the first 45 minutes as Zamalek led.

Second half

The second half saw two changes by Zamalek, with Ahmed Fathouh and Mohamed Shahatya coming on. Hossam Abdel Majid’s pass was miscontrolled, but the defense cleared the danger before Chiko Banza could marshal a counterattack.

In the 49th minute, Nasser Maher struck again after a cross from Fathouh wasn’t dealt with by the defense, allowing Maher to pounce and score again at the near post.

Abdel-Raouf then brought on Mohamed Hamdi Al-Onsh for Hossam Abdel Majid in the 51st, and Debagh headed home a cross from Mahmoud Bentayg to make it 3-0 in the 61st minute.

The Pharaohs’ goalkeeper Mohammed Sobhi remained busy as Debagh and other chances were carved, before Talaea got on the scoresheet with a late goal by Mohamed Aref in the 80th minute.

Chances continued to fall to the visitors, but the Zamalek defense, aided by goalkeeper Sobhi, held firm to preserve the lead. Substitutions by Talaea added grit, but ultimately the hosts prevailed.

Pyramids vs. Al Ettihad

At the Cairo Stadium complex, Pyramids defeated Al Ettihad 2-1 in the same round.

Marwan Hamdi opened the scoring in the 12th minute for Pyramids, while Ahmed Atef doubled the advantage in the 79th. Kareem El-Deeb pulled one back for Al Ettihad in stoppage time from the spot, as the hosts held on to secure the win.

Coach Krunoslav Jurčić rested some key players like Weston Myieli, while Walid El-Karti came on at 44 minutes to replace Blati Touré who picked up an injury. Pyramids sit on 20 points in fourth, with two games in hand against Petrojet and Electricals, scheduled for early December.

Al Ettihad Alexandria, under coach Tamer Mustafa, remain near the bottom, with eight points as the season’s early grind continues. The league action continues with a Sokrates-like derby in the Suez region, and the cup action looms large later this week for both clubs.

As a reminder, Zamalek are set to play Pyramids next Thursday in the UAE in the Egyptian Super Cup semi-finals, which will also feature a thrilling Cairo clash between Al Ahly and Ceramica Cleopatra. The winners will meet in the final on Sunday in the UAE, with the losers battling for third place.

Punchline time: If Zamalek’s strategy was a Wi-Fi router, it would finally show full bars in every corner of Cairo. Punchline two: If football had a dating app, Zamalek would be swiping right on every match and still somehow end up with the perfect 3-1 date.