Ahmed Rabie put Zamalek ahead in the 39th minute on his debut, rising to head home a corner from Mahmoud Bentayg. But Mahmoud Salah equalised midway through the second half after latching on to Rached Arfaoui’s pass to finish from close range.
The result marked Zamalek’s eighth draw of the season and left them second on 18 points, level with leaders Masry but behind on goal difference. El-Mahalla climbed one place to 14th with 11 points.
Zamalek dominated possession in the first half against Alaa Abdel Aal’s side, who came into the game with the league’s tightest defence, having conceded just three goals in nine matches.
The Cairo club struggled to break down El-Mahalla’s compact backline and needed Rabie’s header from a set piece to make the breakthrough.
The visitors stayed patient and capitalised on a Zamalek error after the break. Bentayg lost possession in his own half, allowing Arfaoui to break forward and set up Salah’s equaliser in the 65th minute.
Coach Yannick Ferrera threw on Tunisian striker Seifeddine Jaziri and Angolan winger Chico Banza as Zamalek pushed for a winner.
Banza thought he had scored in the 75th minute, but his effort was disallowed as the ball had gone out of play in the build-up, while Brazilian winger Juan Alvina rattled the crossbar with a late strike.
El-Mahalla defended deep in the closing stages, with all 11 men behind the ball, to frustrate Zamalek and hold on for a valuable point.
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