Zamalek extended their lead at the top of the Egyptian Premier League table with a hard-fought victory, piling the pressure on rivals Ahly ahead of their upcoming clash against Pyramids.
The White Knights secured a crucial 2-1 win over their opponents on Thursday evening, moving three points clear at the summit. The result means Zamalek now sit on 45 points after 20 matches, while Ahly remain second with 42 points from 18 games.
The match started at a high tempo, with Zamalek taking the lead in the 23rd minute through a well-taken strike from Ahmed Sayed “Zizo.” The winger collected a pass on the edge of the box before curling a precise shot into the bottom corner.
The home side doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark. Defender Mahmoud Alaa rose highest to meet a corner kick, powering a header past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 in the 28th minute.
The visitors pulled one back early in the second half. A defensive lapse allowed their striker to slot home from close range in the 52nd minute, setting up a tense final period.
Zamalek held firm despite sustained pressure in the closing stages. Goalkeeper Mohamed Awad made two crucial saves in the final ten minutes to preserve the lead and secure all three points.
The result shifts the spotlight firmly onto Ahly, who face Pyramids on Sunday, February 18, 2026. The Red Devils know that anything less than a win would leave them trailing Zamalek by at least five points.
“This was a big win for us,” Zamalek coach Jose Gomes said after the match. “The players showed great character. Now we wait and see what happens in the other game.”
Ahly manager Marcel Koller acknowledged the pressure ahead of the Pyramids fixture. “We have a difficult match coming up. Pyramids are a strong side, but we are focused on getting the three points,” he stated in a pre-match press conference.
Pyramids currently sit third in the standings with 38 points from 19 matches, making Sunday’s encounter a potential title-decider. A win for Ahly would close the gap at the top, while a Pyramids victory would throw the title race wide open.
The Egyptian Premier League season is scheduled to conclude in June 2026, with the top three teams qualifying for next season’s CAF Champions League.
