Moroccan winger Achraf Ben Sharqi delivered a devastating blow to his former club Zamalek on Friday night, scoring a stunning solo goal that handed Al Ahly a golden opportunity to reignite the Egyptian Premier League title race.
The 2026 season’s turning point arrived in the 67th minute at the Cairo International Stadium. Ben Sharqi, who left Zamalek under a cloud in 2023, picked up the ball on the left flank, cut inside past two defenders, and unleashed a curling right-footed shot into the far corner. The goal stood as the only strike of the match, giving his current side a vital 1-0 victory.
The result leaves Zamalek stuck on 45 points after 22 games, while Al Ahly—who play their match in hand on Monday—can now move to within three points of the league leaders with a win. The defending champions have been chasing Zamalek all season, and this result finally cracks open the door.
First half: Cautious chess match
The opening 45 minutes were tense but lacked clear chances. Zamalek controlled possession early, with midfielder Nabil Emad pulling the strings, but they failed to test the opposition goalkeeper. Al Ahly’s defense, marshaled by veteran Mohamed Abdel Monem, stood firm. The best opportunity fell to Zamalek’s Seifeddine Jaziri in the 32nd minute, but his header from a corner sailed wide.
Ben Sharqi was quiet in the first half, often dropping deep to collect the ball. His only notable moment came in the 41st minute when he forced a save from Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad with a low drive from distance.
Second half: The moment of magic
The game opened up after the break. Zamalek pushed forward, and Al Ahly looked to hit on the counter. In the 67th minute, Ben Sharqi received a pass near the halfway line. He drove at the heart of the Zamalek defense, skipped past a sliding tackle from Mahmoud Hamdy, and then shifted the ball onto his right foot before bending it past Awad’s outstretched hand.
The stadium erupted. Ben Sharqi ran to the corner flag, slid on his knees, and was mobbed by his teammates. Zamalek players surrounded the referee, claiming a foul in the buildup, but replays showed no infringement.
Late drama and red card
Zamalek pushed for an equalizer in the final 20 minutes. Substitute Mostafa Shalaby came closest in the 83rd minute, but his shot from inside the box was blocked by a last-ditch tackle. Deep into stoppage time, Zamalek’s frustration boiled over. Defender Mohamed Abdel Ghani was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Ben Sharqi in the 90+4th minute, confirming a miserable night for the White Knights.
What it means
For Zamalek, this is a bitter setback. They had won five of their last six league games and looked in control of the title race. Now, with Al Ahly breathing down their necks, the pressure shifts back to them.
For Al Ahly, the message is clear: win on Monday, and the gap is down to three points with 12 games remaining. The title race is alive again.
Ben Sharqi, speaking after the match, said: “I have nothing against Zamalek. I respect the fans and the club. But tonight, I did my job for my team. This win is for our supporters.”
Zamalek coach Jose Gomes refused to blame the referee. “We lost because we didn’t take our chances. Ben Sharqi’s goal was world-class. We have to look forward now.”
The Egyptian Premier League now has a genuine two-horse race. And it was a former Zamalek star who lit the fuse.
