Ahly's midfielder Emam Ashour shoots the ball during the match with Ghazl El Mahalla. Photo courtesy of Ahly Facebook page.
Ashour, who has been in scintillating form, netted the decisive goal in the 56th minute, curling a precise shot into the bottom-right corner from outside the box.
The win moves Ahly temporarily to the top of the table with 29 points from 13 matches, pending Pyramids FC game against Haras El Hodoud on Wednesday.
The Red Devils pressed forward from kick off, seeking an early breakthrough. Emam Ashour, Karim El Debes, and playmaker Mohamed "Afsha" Magdy all tested Ghazl El-Mahalla goalkeeper Amer Amer within the opening five minutes, but their attempts were either saved or off target.
Despite Ahly’s early dominance, Ghazl El-Mahalla showed resilience and had a chance to take the lead in the fifth minute when Abdo Yehia met a corner from Emad Mayhoub, but his header sailed wide. And again they came close to scoring before halftime, only for Mohamed El Shenawy to deny Mohamed Ashraf’s powerful strike with a reflex save.
Ahly emerged stronger in the second half and immediately took control. Ashour’s breakthrough came in the 56th minute after Afsha delivered a well-placed set-piece pass. The midfielder took one touch before unleashing a precise shot beyond Amer's reach.
Ghazl El-Mahalla introduced more firepower, bringing on Abdelrahman Khaled Gebna and Hossam Greisha in search of an equalizer, but Ahly’s defence held firm. The game took a dramatic turn in the 74th minute when Mostafa El-Esh was sent off for a last-man foul on Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda, reducing the hosts to 10 men.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Ahly managed to see out the remainder of the match, with Akram Tawfik and Karim Nedved coming on to bolster the midfield. In stoppage time, Ghazl El Mahalla’s Mohamed Osama fired a long-range shot, but El Shenawy comfortably collected the effort to secure the three points for the reigning champions.
The victory moves Ahly to the top of the league as they remain unbeaten this season, with eight wins and five draws. Their recent form includes three consecutive victories following two draws.
Trailing by two points with a game in hand, Pyramids FC remain strong contenders, boasting a record of eight wins, three draws, and one defeat.
Meanwhile, Ghazl El-Mahalla remains in 15th place with 11 points from 13 matches, continuing to struggle with a record of three wins, two draws, and eight losses. Their poor form persists, with four defeats in their last five matches, leaving them just above the relegation zone.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: