Zamalek secured bragging rights in the Cairo derby on Sunday night as they defeated rivals Al Ahly 3-1 to snap the Egyptian Premier League leaders’ season-long unbeaten run. The visitors actually began the better at the Cairo International Stadium and hit the woodwork in the sixth minute through Aliou Badji’s header, only for Zamalek to take the lead seven minutes later. Fine work from Achraf Bencharki set up Ahmed Sayed Zizo to finish. However, Ahly equalised just after the hour, with Yasser Ibrahim making the most of a defensive scramble in the home side's penalty area to draw his team level. Parity lasted only 10 minutes, though, once Mostafa Mohamed controlled the ball excellently on his chest and placed past Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Zamalek survived an injury-time scare when Walid Soliman’s powerful low strike flew wide, before hitting their opponents immediately on the break to round off the win. Bencharki began the move and laid the ball to Mohamed Ounajem, who unselfishly passed it on to Osama Faisal to give the hosts a much-needed victory. Despite a first loss of the season – they have played 21 matches – Ahly remain comfortably on top of the table with 56 points, while Zamalek sit second with 42.
