National Bank Holds Zamalek to a Draw
The match between National Bank and visitors Zamalek was packed with goals and excitement, featuring two stoppage-time strikes in the second half and ending in a 2-2 draw during the fourth round of the Egyptian Premier League Championship Phase.
Zamalek opened the scoring just one minute after kickoff through Nasser Mansi, before National Bank equalized via Osama Faisal in the 71st minute from a penalty. Stoppage time brought further drama, with substitute Seifeddine Jaziri restoring the visitors’ lead (90+1), only for Yaw Annor to reply for the hosts two minutes later.
With this result, Zamalek raised their tally to 40 points, placing third—seven points behind leaders Pyramids and three behind second-placed Ahly, with four matches left. Meanwhile, National Bank reached 33 points in fifth place.
Match Highlights
The game began with high intensity from the visitors, needing just 23 seconds to open the scoring. Moroccan Mahmoud Ben Tayek sent in a cross from the left flank to Omar Gaber, who laid it off for Mansi. The latter struck a powerful first-time shot into the net past Abdel Aziz El-Balouty.
Zamalek relied heavily on long-range efforts, especially through Abdallah El-Said and Nasser Maher, while most of National Bank’s threats came from Togolese striker Yaw Annor, though they posed little real danger to Zamalek keeper Mohamed Awad.
At the start of the second half, Zamalek coach José Peseiro brought on Mohamed Hamdy in place of Mohamed Shehata, but National Bank looked more dangerous through Annor and substitute Ahmed Yasser Rayan.
VAR intervened to award a penalty after a handball by Mansi inside the box, following a cross from Burkina Faso’s Saido Simporé. Osama Faisal converted successfully (71′).
After the equalizer, Peseiro introduced Tunisian Seifeddine Jaziri in place of Nasser Maher, then brought on Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Eisho” and Seif Farouk Gaafar for Mostafa El-Zenary and Nabil Emad “Dunga” (81′).
Jaziri rewarded his coach’s faith by scoring in the first minute of stoppage time, receiving a long pass from Abdallah El-Said that National Bank’s defense failed to clear, allowing the Tunisian to net brilliantly.
But the lead lasted just two minutes, as Annor equalized following a pass from Ahmed Rabie. Simporé’s initial header was saved by Awad, but the rebound fell to the Togolese striker, who headed it into the bottom left corner (90+3′).
Elsewhere, Ceramica Cleopatra defeated hosts Petrojet 2-0, raising their tally to 30 points in sixth place, while Petrojet remained at 25 points in eighth.
