Al Ahly delivered a dominant performance on Tuesday night, defeating Zamalek 3-0 at Cairo International Stadium to breathe new life into the Egyptian Premier League title race. The victory cut the gap at the top to just two points with a game in hand for the defending champions.
The Red Devils took control early. In the 8th minute, Moroccan winger Reda Slim opened the scoring with a precise finish from inside the box after a clever through ball from Imam Ashour. Zamalek struggled to respond as Al Ahly dominated possession in the first half.
The second half saw more of the same pressure. In the 54th minute, Ashour doubled the lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the area that beat Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad at his near post. The goal came after a quick counter-attack initiated by Percy Tau.
Zamalek’s night went from bad to worse in the 67th minute. A defensive mix-up allowed substitute Mohamed Abdelmonem to slot home the third goal, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback. The White Knights finished the match with ten men after defender Hossam Abdelmaguid received a second yellow card in stoppage time.
The result moves Al Ahly to 42 points from 18 matches, while Zamalek remain on 44 points from 20 games. With a game in hand, the Red Devils now have a clear path to reclaim the top spot if they win their remaining fixtures.
“This was a statement win,” said Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller after the match. “The players showed great character and executed the game plan perfectly. We knew we had to win to stay in the race, and we did it in style.”
Zamalek coach Jose Gomes admitted his side was outplayed. “Al Ahly were the better team tonight. We made too many mistakes at this level, and they punished us. We must learn from this and move forward.”
The victory marks Al Ahly’s fifth consecutive win in all competitions and reignites what promises to be a thrilling title battle in the Egyptian top flight. The two sides are now separated by just two points, with Al Ahly holding a game in hand as the season enters its decisive phase.
