Zamalek climbed into the runner-up position in the Egyptian Premier League following a dramatic 5-2 triumph against Kahrabaa Ismailia at Suez Stadium on Wednesday.
Zamalek climbed into the runner-up position in the Egyptian Premier League following a dramatic 5-2 triumph against Kahrabaa Ismailia at Suez Stadium on Wednesday.
The success marked a rare sequence for the Cairo side, delivering a third straight league victory and producing the most goal-laden contest of the current campaign, as repeated defensive mistakes shaped the outcome.
That result lifted the White Knights to 28 points, drawing them level with Pyramids FC, who earlier slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Smouha.
Only Ceramica Cleopatra remains ahead, sitting four points clear at the summit, albeit having already completed an extra fixture.
Preparations were disrupted shortly before kickoff when Zamalek lost two attacking options at the last moment.
Angolan wide player Chico Banza was sidelined hours before the match due to illness, while Brazilian winger Juan Alvina suffered an injury during pre-match exercises and was forced to withdraw.
Despite the depleted lineup, Zamalek struck first in the 38th minute after a mishit clearance by the opposition goalkeeper landed at the feet of Mohamed Ismail, who quickly fed Ahmed Sherif for the opener.
Momentum continued minutes later as Oday El Dabbagh reacted fastest to a loose ball, calmly converting it into an unguarded goal to extend the advantage.
Just before the interval, Kahrabaa Ismailia narrowed the margin when Aly Soliman took advantage of a lapse by defender El-Sayed Ossama.
Any hopes of a comeback were checked early in the second period as Sherif capitalized on another rebound, registering his second strike to restore control.
Omar El-Saed briefly reignited the contest by heading home the hosts’ second goal shortly after the hour, yet further defensive breakdowns proved costly.
Nasser Mansi made it 4-2 soon after, before El Dabbagh completed the scoring from a tight angle, claiming his seventh league goal to move outright to the top of the scoring standings. A later Mansi effort was disallowed following a VAR offside decision.
Zamalek will now turn their focus to a home meeting with Smouha on Thursday, 12 February.
