Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a night that will echo across Egyptian football, Al Ahly SC delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Zamalek SC, reigniting the title race in the Egyptian Premier League.
The Cairo Derby rarely lacks intensity but this time, it was clinical dominance that defined the outcome.
Ruthless Efficiency Decides the Derby
Moroccan forward Achraf Bencharki was the undisputed star of the night, netting twice in the 18th and 74th minutes, while Hussein El Shahat added a second goal in the first half to seal a comprehensive win.
Al Ahly’s victory lifts them to 47 points, just three behind both Zamalek and Pyramids FC, turning what seemed like a two-horse race into a full-blown title battle.
Fast Start, Fatal Mistakes
Zamalek began with early attacking intent, nearly opening the scoring through Odai Dabbagh and Nasser Mansi, but their failure to convert momentum proved costly.
Al Ahly struck first through Bencharki, whose powerful header from a precise cross by Taher Mohamed Taher exposed Zamalek’s defensive frailty.
The second goal came from a catastrophic defensive error. Bencharki capitalized, threading a perfect assist to El Shahat, who coolly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Mahdi Soliman.
Missed Chances, Missed Comeback
Zamalek’s hopes of a comeback were effectively buried early in the second half. A penalty opportunity awarded after a foul inside the box, was squandered by Hossam Abdelmaguid, whose effort was brilliantly saved by Mostafa Shobeir.
Moments later, Al Ahly had a chance to extend their lead from the spot, but Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet struck the post, keeping the scoreline unchanged temporarily.
Bencharki Seals the Statement
The final blow came in the 74th minute. A perfectly timed pass from Emam Ashour split the Zamalek defense, allowing Bencharki to slot home his second of the night and complete a devastating performance.
Title Race Blown Wide Open
This wasn’t just a derby win, it was a statement.
Al Ahly’s resurgence has reshaped the league standings and injected fresh uncertainty into the championship race. For Zamalek, the defeat exposes defensive vulnerabilities and missed opportunities that could prove decisive in the weeks ahead.
With momentum now firmly on their side, Al Ahly have turned pressure into belief—and the title race into a three-way war.
