Title Race Heats Up in Egypt Between Ahly and Pyramids
The Egyptian Premier League title race has intensified following Al Ahly’s 5–0 thrashing of Haras El Hodood and league leaders Pyramids’ 3–2 defeat to hosts Pharco in the fourth round of the championship group.
Cairo International Stadium witnessed a dominant attacking display from Ahly, who had five different players find the net. The win brought their points tally to 46, just one behind Pyramids, with four rounds left to decide the champion. The league’s top two will qualify for the CAF Champions League, while third and fourth place earn slots in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Relentless Ahly Attack
Ahly asserted their dominance from the outset, netting five goals courtesy of Mohamed Taher (10′), Ahmed Nabil “Koka” (27′), Palestinian Wissam Abu Ali (55′), Hussein El Shahat (73′), and Mohamed Hany (93′).
The scoring opened with a corner from Moroccan player Ashraf Bencharki, which Amr El Solia headed into the path of Taher, who fired it home from inside the box.
Koka doubled the lead in the 27th minute after intercepting a Haras El Hodood pass. He played the ball to Taher on the left, who returned it, allowing Koka to finish powerfully from close range.
At the start of the second half, interim coach Emad El Nahhas brought on El Shahat for Taher, injecting fresh energy into the attack. Marwan Attia sent a long ball to Abu Ali, who broke through and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Mohamed Siha for Ahly’s third (55′).
Further changes came at the hour mark, with Mostafa El Ash and Mohamed Magdy “Afsha” replacing Rami Rabia and El Solia. Ten minutes later, Tunisian Ali Maaloul replaced Bencharki and linked up with Ashour, who then set up the unmarked El Shahat to slot home the fourth goal (73′).
Slovenian Nejc Gradisar came on for Abu Ali in the 75th minute, and Ahly continued to press. Siha stood out with saves against efforts from Gradisar, Ashour, and El Shahat.
In the third minute of added time, El Shahat laid off a pass to Mohamed Hany, who rifled home a powerful shot from inside the box to cap off the rout.
Pyramids Still Dream of First Title
Pyramids remain hopeful of securing their first-ever league title after finishing runners-up in each of the past three seasons. They aim to unseat reigning champions Ahly, who are targeting a third consecutive title and a record-extending 45th league crown.
However, their hopes took a hit at Haras El Hodood Stadium in Alexandria, where they suffered their first loss of the championship round, falling 3–2 to Pharco.
Ahmed Sherif (55′), Mahmoud Emad (66′), and Amr Nasser (84′ penalty) scored for the hosts, while Ibrahim Adel (74′) and Marwan Hamdy (90′) found the net for Pyramids.
After a goalless first half, Sherif stunned the visitors with the opener early in the second half. Emad added a second in the 66th minute following a pass from Mohamed Fakhry. Ibrahim Adel pulled one back after connecting with an excellent cross from Moroccan Mohamed Chibi (74′).
Pharco were awarded a penalty, which Nasser converted in the 84th minute to make it 3–1. Substitute Marwan Hamdy reduced the deficit in the 90th minute, but it wasn’t enough to salvage a point.
